What does a Data Scientists salary really buy you in Alabama?
Alabama is 12.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-02
Alabama's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 87.8, meaning prices are 12.2% lower the national average. A Data Scientists earning $100,560 in Alabama has the equivalent purchasing power of $114,533 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Alabama's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $54,690 | $62,289 | +$7,599 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $74,450 | $84,794 | +$10,344 |
| Median (P50) | $100,560 | $114,533 | +$13,973 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $118,130 | $134,544 | +$16,414 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $145,250 | $165,432 | +$20,182 |
A Data Scientists in Alabama earns $100,560 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $114,533 in an average-cost state. This makes Alabama one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Data Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Alabama ranks #17 out of 51 states for Data Scientists after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
How much do you actually take home? See Data Scientists take-home pay in Alabama after taxes →
A Data Scientists in Alabama earns a median salary of $100,560 per year. After adjusting for Alabama's cost of living (RPP=87.8), the real purchasing power is $114,533 — a +13.9% difference.
Alabama's cost of living is 12.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Alabama is 87.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Data Scientists in Alabama: $100,560 x (100 / 87.8) = $114,533. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Data Scientists in Alabama enjoys 13.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.