CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Birmingham, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Birmingham is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 11.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $70,700 in Birmingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing35.8%
Aurora
112
Birmingham
71.9
🛒 Groceries10.2%
Aurora
107.3
Birmingham
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Aurora
105.5
Birmingham
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Aurora
95.5
Birmingham
91.9
Utilities≈ Equal
Aurora
83.6
Birmingham
83.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Birmingham to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Birmingham, AL
$70,700
$9,300 less needed in Birmingham

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8842. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Birmingham, AL

Median Home Price
$252,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
71.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Aurora has 35.8% lower housing costs compared to Birmingham.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Birmingham, AL

Median Household Income
$69,300
Per Capita Income
$39,500
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
212,237
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Birmingham, AL
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.