Cost of Living in Birmingham, AL
| Cost of Living in Birmingham, AL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 22% higher | 22% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 3% lower | 7% higher |
| Food | 3% higher | 3% lower |
| Healthcare | 11% higher | 6% lower |
| Transportation | 18% lower | 9% lower |
| Goods & Services | 1% higher | 2% lower |
The cost of living in Birmingham, AL is 3% higher than the state average and 8% lower than the national average. Birmingham, AL housing is 22% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 7% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% less in Birmingham, AL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 2% cheaper in Birmingham, AL.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Birmingham is $1,297, while home prices circle around $384,393.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Birmingham, energy bills cost around $219.40 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.54 in Birmingham, a dozen eggs go for around $3.87 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.23.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Birmingham, an optometry check-up costs around $92.33, while a dentist appointment is priced $125.78 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.13 in Birmingham, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.52.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $40.15 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $38.95.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Birmingham, you should budget around $12.54 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $20.07, while dry cleaning costs about $15.17.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Birmingham, the median household income is $39,403.