CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is slightly cheaper than Birmingham — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $77,600 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing7.6%
Birmingham
71.9
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Birmingham
96.4
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Birmingham
101.5
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Birmingham
91.9
Pocatello
94
Utilities16.7%
Birmingham
83.8
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 0.9705. 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×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Birmingham has 7.6% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

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

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.