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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Pelham, AL โ€” COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area + state data

$

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You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.1K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Birmingham-Hoover, AL area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 16.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,257
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$15.1K
Per year

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

Pelham, AL

Population:25K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$90K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:117
Median Home:$512K

Pelham, AL

The Heart of Dixie

25K
Population
State Tax
Yes

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

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขResearch Triangle
  • โ€ขState capital
  • โ€ขMajor university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Pelham, AL vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 49.4%
Pelham, AL
$1,653
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$816
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 13.6%
Pelham, AL
$1,503
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$205
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 11.9%
Pelham, AL
$1,148
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$136
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 19.6%
Pelham, AL
$503
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$98.48
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 2.3%
Pelham, AL
$937
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$21.90
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 3.4%
Pelham, AL
$529
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$17.81
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$528
To$1,570
โ†‘ $1,042
1 Bed
From$609
To$1,640
โ†‘ $1,031
2 Bed
From$730
To$1,800
โ†‘ $1,070
3 Bed
From$974
To$2,255
โ†‘ $1,281
Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400โ€“$1,880/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,272
Monthly in Pelham, AL
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$1,295
Difference

Home Values

Pelham
Raleigh
-
Median Value
$512K
-
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
-
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
-
Price Range
$314K - $992K

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $335
Per year
Monthly Difference
$27.92
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.2%
Rate difference

Pelham, 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

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Pelham, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Pelham
Raleigh
57 Moderate
Air Quality
46 Good
26%
Good Air Days
61.7%
98 High
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Alabama and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

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