Moving from Columbus to Birmingham?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Columbus lifestyle in Birmingham, you'd need to earn:
$71,972/year
▼ $3,028 less than you make now
| Category | Columbus | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $71,972 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,448 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,462 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,044 |
| State Tax | -$1,346 | -$3,559 |
| Take-Home Pay | $59,802 | $55,460 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -4.0% in Birmingham
- Housing is -18.2% in Birmingham
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $2,364/year in taxes in Birmingham
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~492 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Columbus to Birmingham
| Your Columbus Salary | Birmingham Equivalent | Difference | Birmingham Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,385 | -$1,615 | $31,002 |
| $50,000 | $47,981 | -$2,019 | $38,232 |
| $60,000 | $57,577 | -$2,423 | $45,463 |
| $75,000 | $71,972 | -$3,028 | $55,460 |
| $100,000 | $95,962 | -$4,038 | $71,137 |
| $150,000 | $143,943 | -$6,057 | $101,981 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Columbus and Birmingham Compare
Housing (18% cheaper in Birmingham)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Birmingham rents for $1,050/month compared to $1,191/month in Columbus. Median home prices: $230,000 in Birmingham vs $290,000 in Columbus.
Taxes
Ohio has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 3.5%. Alabama has a progressive state income tax from 2.0% to 5.0%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Birmingham would cost you about $2,364/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Birmingham's overall cost of living is 4.0% lower than Columbus, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Columbus: 95.5, Birmingham: 91.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Columbus to Birmingham move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Birmingham
Average 1BR rent in Birmingham: $1,050/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
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