Moving from Birmingham to Houston?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Birmingham lifestyle in Houston, you'd need to earn:
$75,947/year
▲ $947 more than you make now
| Category | Birmingham | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $75,947 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,322 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,709 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,101 |
| State Tax | -$3,710 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,439 | $61,815 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +7.6% in Houston
- Housing is +45.3% in Houston
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $3,710/year in taxes in Houston
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~567 miles
DIY Truck
$3,000
Container
$5,000
Full-Service
$7,000
Salary Equivalents: Birmingham to Houston
| Your Birmingham Salary | Houston Equivalent | Difference | Houston Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,596 | +$596 | $34,657 |
| $50,000 | $50,705 | +$705 | $42,780 |
| $60,000 | $60,813 | +$813 | $50,902 |
| $75,000 | $75,947 | +$947 | $61,815 |
| $100,000 | $100,889 | +$889 | $79,361 |
| $150,000 | $150,834 | +$834 | $113,848 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Birmingham and Houston Compare
Housing (45% more expensive in Houston)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Houston rents for $1,129/month compared to $1,050/month in Birmingham. Median home prices: $335,000 in Houston vs $230,000 in Birmingham.
Taxes
Alabama has a progressive state income tax from 2.0% to 5.0%. Texas has no state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Houston would save you about $3,710/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Houston's overall cost of living is 7.6% higher than Birmingham, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Birmingham: 91.6, Houston: 98.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Birmingham to Houston move. Average cost: $3,000–$7,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Houston
Average 1BR rent in Houston: $1,129/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →