CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Medford, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
OR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Birmingham is moderately cheaper than Medford — 10.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $88,600 in Medford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+35.9%
Birmingham
71.9
Medford
97.7
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Birmingham
96.4
Medford
105.3
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Birmingham
101.5
Medford
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Birmingham
91.9
Medford
95.3
Utilities+22.1%
Birmingham
83.8
Medford
102.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Medford, OR
$88,600
$8,600 more needed in Medford

Formula: salary × (101.4 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.1070. 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×

Medford, OR

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8×

Medford has 35.9% 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

Medford, OR

Median Household Income
$71,700
Per Capita Income
$40,900
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
85,824
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureRetailManufacturingTourism

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)

Medford, OR
3.5×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.