Is Boston, MA cheaper than Birmingham, AL?

Based on cost of living data, Boston, MA is 71.3% more expensive than Birmingham, AL. This translates to spending an extra $5345 per month.

What salary do I need in Boston, MA to live like I do in Birmingham, AL?

If you earn $150,000 in Birmingham, AL, you'd need approximately $214,137.931 in Boston, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Birmingham, AL and Boston, MA?

Housing in Boston, MA is 174.3% more expensive than in Birmingham, AL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,865/month in Boston, MA compared to $1,085/month in Birmingham, AL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Birmingham, AL to Boston, MA?

Living in Boston, MA costs approximately $5345 more per month than Birmingham, AL, or $64138 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Birmingham, AL vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Birmingham, AL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.3K/month more in Boston, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $214.1K in Boston, MA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 71.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,345

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$64.1K

Per year

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

Birmingham, AL

Population:201K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$90K

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:

171

(71% above avg)

Median Home:$961K

Birmingham, AL

The Heart of Dixie

201K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 201K residents.

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Birmingham, AL vs Boston, MA

Category	Birmingham, AL	Boston, MA	Difference	Change
Housing	$1,923/mo	$5,275/mo	↑ $3,352more	174.3%
Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,830/mo	↑ $628more	52.3%
Other	$1,574/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $251more	16.0%
Healthcare	$514/mo	$743/mo	↑ $229more	44.6%
All Utilities	$541/mo	$716/mo	↑ $175more	32.3%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $120more	12.5%

Housing

↑ 174.3%

Birmingham, AL

$1,923

Boston, MA

$5,275

Difference

$3,352

Transportation

↑ 52.3%

Birmingham, AL

$1,202

Boston, MA

$1,830

Difference

$628

Other

↑ 16.0%

Birmingham, AL

$1,574

Boston, MA

$1,825

Difference

$251

Healthcare

↑ 44.6%

Birmingham, AL

$514

Boston, MA

$743

Difference

$229

All Utilities

↑ 32.3%

Birmingham, AL

$541

Boston, MA

$716

Difference

$175

Groceries

↑ 12.5%

Birmingham, AL

$959

Boston, MA

$1,079

Difference

$120

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Boston, MA 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$880

To$3,095

↑ $2,215

1 Bed

From$990

To$3,255

↑ $2,265

2 Bed

From$1,085

To$3,865

↑ $2,780

3 Bed

From$1,360

To$4,630

↑ $3,270

Birmingham, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $900–$1,580/mo

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$6,713

Monthly in Birmingham, AL

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$4,756

Difference

Home Values

Birmingham

Boston

$90K

Median Value

$961K

↓ -1.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.7%

↑ +16.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +7%

$57K - $376K

Price Range

$709K - $3.40M

Homes in Boston are 970% more expensive than Birmingham

Calculate payment - Birmingham Calculate payment - Boston

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $40.00

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$3.33

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Birmingham, 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

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Birmingham, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 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

Birmingham

Boston

57 Moderate

Air Quality

36 Good

26%

Good Air Days

79.5%

98 High

Climate Risk

94 Moderate

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌅🌀

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

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

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New Comparison

You'd spend $5.3K/month more in Boston, MA

Birmingham, AL

Boston, MA

Birmingham, AL

Boston, MA

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code16 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code12 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP16 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP11 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Birmingham, AL

Boston, MA

Additional Tax Information

Birmingham, AL Tax Rates

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Environment

Similar cost to Boston, MA