Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Bessemer, AL?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 24.2% more expensive than Bessemer, AL. This translates to spending an extra $1818 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Bessemer, AL?

If you earn $150,000 in Bessemer, AL, you'd need approximately $171,812.761 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bessemer, AL and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 68.7% more expensive than in Bessemer, AL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $844/month in Bessemer, AL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bessemer, AL to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1818 more per month than Bessemer, AL, or $21813 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bessemer, AL vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bessemer, AL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

Current salary in Bessemer, AL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.8K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $171.8K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Birmingham-Hoover, AL area

Overall Cost

↑ 24.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,818

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$21.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bessemer, AL

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$65K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:124

Median Home:$414K

Bessemer, AL

The Heart of Dixie

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 25K residents.

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bessemer, AL vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Bessemer, AL	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,653/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $1,136more	68.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,148/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $341more	29.7%
📦Other	$1,502/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $175more	11.6%
🏥Healthcare	$502/mo	$589/mo	↑ $86.11more	17.1%
⚡All Utilities	$529/mo	$561/mo	↑ $32.58more	6.2%
🛒Groceries	$937/mo	$963/mo	↑ $25.93more	2.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 68.7%

Bessemer, AL

$1,653

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$1,136

🚗Transportation

↑ 29.7%

Bessemer, AL

$1,148

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$341

📦Other

↑ 11.6%

Bessemer, AL

$1,502

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$175

🏥Healthcare

↑ 17.1%

Bessemer, AL

$502

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$86.11

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.2%

Bessemer, AL

$529

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$32.58

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.8%

Bessemer, AL

$937

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$25.93

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Bessemer, AL: Bessemer Occupational Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Phoenix, AZ has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$682

To$1,390

↑ $708

1 Bed

From$771

To$1,510

↑ $739

2 Bed

From$844

To$1,750

↑ $906

3 Bed

From$1,055

To$2,330

↑ $1,275

Bessemer, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $950–$950/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,271

Monthly in Bessemer, AL

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,797

Difference

Home Values

Bessemer

Phoenix

$65K

Median Value

$414K

↓ -1.6%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +15.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$65K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 541% more expensive than Bessemer

Calculate payment - Bessemer Calculate payment - Phoenix

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.2K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$186

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.5%

Rate difference

Bessemer, AL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alabama State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,794/month

$105.5K

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Bessemer, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Bessemer

Phoenix

57 Moderate

Air Quality

77 Moderate

26%

Good Air Days

98 High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Alabama and Arizona on TaxTakeHome.com

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You'd spend $1.8K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Bessemer, AL

Phoenix, AZ

Bessemer, AL

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Bessemer, AL

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Bessemer, AL Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ