CostIndexUSA

Bend, OR vs Birmingham, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Bend
103.6
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Birmingham is moderately cheaper than Bend — 11.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bend, you would need $70,700 in Birmingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.6%
Bend
110
Birmingham
71.9
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Bend
105.3
Birmingham
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Bend
105.3
Birmingham
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Bend
95.3
Birmingham
91.9
Utilities20.2%
Bend
105
Birmingham
83.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bend to see what you'd need to earn in Birmingham to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Birmingham, AL
$70,700
$9,300 less needed in Birmingham

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8842. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bend, OR

Median Home Price
$653,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
110
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Birmingham, AL

Median Home Price
$252,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
71.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Bend has 34.6% lower housing costs compared to Birmingham.

Income & Job Market

Bend, OR

Median Household Income
$91,700
Per Capita Income
$52,300
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
102,059
Top Industries
TourismTechnologyHealthcareRetailConstruction

Birmingham, AL

Median Household Income
$69,300
Per Capita Income
$39,500
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
212,237
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bend, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Birmingham, AL
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.