Relocation
Cost of living by state
Weighing a move? Compare any two states side by side — cost of living, taxes, and demographics — and see what a physician, NP, or PA salary is really worth once it's adjusted for local prices. Green means cheaper or better; red means pricier or worse.
A cost-of-living index isn't published for Puerto Rico, so an overall score isn't available. Demographics and taxes are still compared below.
| Metric | Puerto Rico | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living (US avg = 100) | ||
| Overall cost of living | — | 88.8 |
| Housing (rent) | — | 61.8 |
| Utilities | — | 84.6 |
| Goods | — | 96.4 |
| Other services | — | 96.7 |
| Taxes | ||
| Top income tax rate | — | 5% |
| Sales tax (avg) | — | 9.43% |
| Property tax (effective) | — | 0.36% |
| About the state | ||
| Population | 3,167,149 | 5,054,253 |
| Median household income | $25,096 | $62,027 |
| Median age | 44.2 | 39.3 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.90% | 69.90% |
| Median home value | $131,500 | $195,100 |
▼ green = lower cost / better▲ red = higher cost / worse
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (2024) · U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts · Tax Foundation. Figures are the latest published; cost-of-living is a price-level index, not tax-adjusted take-home pay.
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VitalPost shows sourced, public data for context only — it isn't financial or tax advice. Cost-of-living is a price-level index (US average = 100); taxes shown are statewide/averaged and don't capture local income or the specifics of your situation.