salaryBirmingham is the 3rd-largest city in Alabama that we track, with 198,173 residents. Rent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,640 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 73 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Birmingham with other big cities
Compare Birmingham to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Birmingham?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Birmingham
| Size | Birmingham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,041 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,129 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,126 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,273 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,182 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Birmingham overall?
Everyday prices in the Birmingham metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Birmingham
Life in Birmingham
What jobs pay in Birmingham
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $170,230 | 9.1% |
| Pharmacist | $138,800 | 11.2% |
| Software Developer | $125,410 | 12.4% |
| Operations Manager | $123,560 | 12.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,700 | 14.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $105,440 | 14.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,470 | 15.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,420 | 15.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,680 | 19.7% |
| Accountant | $78,660 | 19.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,630 | 24.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,190 | 24.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,730 | 25.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,040 | 25.4% |
| Police Officer | $60,590 | 25.6% |
| Plumber | $60,090 | 25.8% |
| Electrician | $56,630 | 27.4% |
| Truck Driver | $54,460 | 28.4% |
| Firefighter | $51,050 | 30.3% |
| Carpenter | $50,400 | 30.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,740 | 31.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,530 | 38.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,500 | 41.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,770 | 42.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,470 | 43.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,340 | 45.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,450 | 49.3% |
| Cashier | $29,310 | 52.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,670 | 56.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Birmingham?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $189 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $158,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,880 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Birmingham, AL?
Renting in Birmingham costs a median of about $1,291 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Birmingham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,640 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Birmingham cheap or expensive?
Birmingham is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.2% of the typical household income of $49,666. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Birmingham?
The median homeowner in Birmingham pays $997 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Birmingham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Birmingham?
The median home value in Birmingham is $158,800, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
198,173 people live in Birmingham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.