Moving from St. Louis to Birmingham?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Birmingham, you'd need to earn:
$72,358/year
▼ $2,642 less than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $72,358 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,533 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,486 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,049 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$3,578 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $55,712 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -3.6% in Birmingham
- Housing is -9.0% in Birmingham
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $361/year in taxes in Birmingham
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~401 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Birmingham
| Your St. Louis Salary | Birmingham Equivalent | Difference | Birmingham Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,801 | -$1,199 | $31,315 |
| $50,000 | $48,432 | -$1,568 | $38,572 |
| $60,000 | $58,122 | -$1,878 | $45,873 |
| $75,000 | $72,358 | -$2,642 | $55,712 |
| $100,000 | $96,583 | -$3,417 | $71,543 |
| $150,000 | $144,853 | -$5,147 | $102,557 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Birmingham Compare
Housing (9% cheaper in Birmingham)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Birmingham rents for $1,050/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $230,000 in Birmingham vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. 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 $361/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Birmingham's overall cost of living is 3.6% lower than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Birmingham: 91.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis 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
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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