CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Elk Grove, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
CA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Birmingham is significantly cheaper than Elk Grove — 16.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $93,200 in Elk Grove. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+81.1%
Birmingham
71.9
Elk Grove
130.2
🛒 Groceries+9.1%
Birmingham
96.4
Elk Grove
105.2
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Birmingham
101.5
Elk Grove
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Birmingham
91.9
Elk Grove
95.3
Utilities+80.5%
Birmingham
83.8
Elk Grove
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Elk Grove, CA
$93,200
$13,200 more needed in Elk Grove

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.1648. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Birmingham, AL

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

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Elk Grove has 81.1% higher housing costs compared to Birmingham.

Income & Job Market

Birmingham, AL

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

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Birmingham, AL
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.