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Birmingham, AL

Cost of living in Birmingham, Alabama

Jefferson County, AL

Part of the Birmingham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,228/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 669,744 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,144 35%
Federal tax $516 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $306 9%
Energy $237 7%
State tax $170 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Birmingham

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$998
per month
1 bedroom
$1,144
per month
2 bedroom
$1,267
per month
3 bedroom
$1,583
per month
4 bedroom
$1,791
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Birmingham

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,589
per year
Individual earnings
$41,626
per year
Per capita
$39,826
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Birmingham

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$224,900
Annual property tax
$1,340

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Birmingham

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$179
per month · 15.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,844
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Birmingham

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Birmingham

State and local tax rates for Alabama.

State income tax
5.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
9.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Birmingham

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.5 min
Drive alone
78.3%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
9.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Birmingham

What it costs to live in Birmingham each month.

Single person
$3,228
per month
  • Rent $1,144
  • Energy $237
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $516
  • State tax $170
Couple
$4,400
per month
  • Rent $1,267
  • Energy $284
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $727
  • State tax $266
Family
$6,846
per month
  • Rent $1,583
  • Energy $356
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $727
  • State tax $266

Frequently asked questions about Birmingham

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, Alabama, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,144 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,267 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,583 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, Alabama, the average household income is $64,589 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,626 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Birmingham?

The estimated cost of living in Birmingham, Alabama is approximately $3,228 per month for a single person, $4,400 for a couple, $6,846 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Birmingham?

The combined sales tax rate in Birmingham, Alabama is 9.24%, which includes the Alabama state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 5.24%.

Is Birmingham an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Birmingham, Alabama would need approximately $3,228 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,589 per year ($5,382 per month). Birmingham has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Birmingham?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Birmingham, Alabama is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Birmingham?

The average home value in Birmingham, Alabama is $224,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,340, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Birmingham compare to other areas?

You can compare Birmingham, Alabama with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Birmingham is in the Birmingham, AL metro area.

Other counties in Alabama

Browse the full list of counties in Alabama, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Alabama

Compare Birmingham with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources