Moving from Raleigh to Birmingham?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Raleigh lifestyle in Birmingham, you'd need to earn:
$70,024/year
▼ $4,976 less than you make now
| Category | Raleigh | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $70,024 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,019 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,341 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,015 |
| State Tax | -$3,188 | -$3,461 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,961 | $54,187 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -6.6% in Birmingham
- Housing is -30.5% in Birmingham
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $523/year in taxes in Birmingham
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~489 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Raleigh to Birmingham
| Your Raleigh Salary | Birmingham Equivalent | Difference | Birmingham Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,346 | -$2,654 | $30,219 |
| $50,000 | $46,682 | -$3,318 | $37,253 |
| $60,000 | $56,019 | -$3,981 | $44,289 |
| $75,000 | $70,024 | -$4,976 | $54,187 |
| $100,000 | $93,365 | -$6,635 | $69,440 |
| $150,000 | $140,047 | -$9,953 | $99,513 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Raleigh and Birmingham Compare
Housing (31% cheaper in Birmingham)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Birmingham rents for $1,050/month compared to $1,240/month in Raleigh. Median home prices: $230,000 in Birmingham vs $431,000 in Raleigh.
Taxes
North Carolina has a flat 4.3% state income tax. 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 $523/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Birmingham's overall cost of living is 6.6% lower than Raleigh, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Raleigh: 98.2, Birmingham: 91.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Raleigh 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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