Is Birmingham, AL cheaper or more expensive than Atlanta, GA?

Birmingham, AL (RPP 91.2) is cheaper than Atlanta, GA (RPP 98.8) by about 7.7%.

What salary do I need in Birmingham, AL if I earn $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?

You would need approximately $92,308 in Birmingham, AL to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Atlanta, GA. Formula: $100,000 x (91.2 / 98.8).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Atlanta, GA or Birmingham, AL?

For 2021-2022, Atlanta, GA had a net gain of 17,865 people, while Birmingham, AL had a net gain of 263 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Atlanta, GA vs Birmingham, AL: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Atlanta, GA

Overall RPP (US=100): 98.8
Housing RPP: 107.4
Goods RPP: 99.3
2-BR median rent: $1,844/mo

Georgia income tax 5.49% flat. No city income tax.

Birmingham, AL

Overall RPP (US=100): 91.2
Housing RPP: 70.4
Goods RPP: 94.6
2-BR median rent: $1,245/mo

Alabama income tax 2%-5%.

Equivalent salary

Birmingham, AL is cheaper than Atlanta, GA by about 7.7% (RPP 98.8 to 91.2).

$60,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $55,385

in Birmingham, AL

$100,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $92,308

in Birmingham, AL

$150,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $138,462

in Birmingham, AL

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Atlanta, GA vs Birmingham, AL

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Atlanta, GA

Net people: +17,865
Net rank: #10 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Hall County, GA. Largest destination: Hall County, GA.

Birmingham, AL

Net people: +263
Net rank: #29 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 3%

Largest source: Tuscaloosa County, AL. Largest destination: Tuscaloosa County, AL.

Rent delta: Birmingham, AL is $599/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Atlanta, GA. Housing RPP moves from 107.4 to 70.4.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Birmingham, AL cheaper or more expensive than Atlanta, GA?: Birmingham, AL (RPP 91.2) is cheaper than Atlanta, GA (RPP 98.8) by about 7.7%.
What salary do I need in Birmingham, AL if I earn $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?: You would need approximately $92,308 in Birmingham, AL to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Atlanta, GA. Formula: $100,000 x (91.2 / 98.8).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Atlanta, GA or Birmingham, AL?: For 2021-2022, Atlanta, GA had a net gain of 17,865 people, while Birmingham, AL had a net gain of 263 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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