Cost of Living Comparison for Birmingham, AL
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Birmingham's cost of living index is 86 — 14% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Birmingham local data
How Birmingham Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Birmingham stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $215,000 | $420,800 | -48.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $898 | $1,713 | -47.6% |
| Median Household Income | $55,800 | $74,580 | -25.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.41% | 1.10% | -62.7% |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 100 | -14.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Birmingham Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 1,120,000
- Unemployment
- 3.8%
- Avg Commute
- 24 min
- Median Age
- 37.7
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 20.0x
- Annual Property Tax
- $882
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Alabama Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Birmingham
What is the median home price in Birmingham, AL?
The median home price in Birmingham is $215,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Birmingham?
Median monthly rent in Birmingham is $898. That works out to $10,776/year, or 19% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Birmingham affordable?
Birmingham's cost of living index is 86 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $55,800/year and a median home price of $215,000, the price-to-income ratio is 3.9x. Birmingham remains relatively affordable compared to many US metros.
What is the property tax rate in Birmingham?
The effective property tax rate in Birmingham is 0.41% of assessed value. On the median home of $215,000, that's roughly $882/year ($73/month).