CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
AZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Birmingham is moderately cheaper than Tucson — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $84,600 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+27.7%
Birmingham
71.9
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Birmingham
96.4
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation+3.3%
Birmingham
101.5
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+3.2%
Birmingham
91.9
Tucson
94.8
Utilities+6.8%
Birmingham
83.8
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$84,600
$4,600 more needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.0579. 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×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Tucson has 27.7% 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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.