CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Greenville, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
SC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Birmingham is slightly cheaper than Greenville — 1.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $81,500 in Greenville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+6.8%
Birmingham
71.9
Greenville
76.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Birmingham
96.4
Greenville
96.3
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Birmingham
101.5
Greenville
103.2
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Birmingham
91.9
Greenville
93.4
Utilities+6.0%
Birmingham
83.8
Greenville
88.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Greenville, SC
$81,500
$1,500 more needed in Greenville

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.0186. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Birmingham, AL

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

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Greenville has 6.8% higher housing costs compared to Birmingham.

Income & Job Market

Birmingham, AL

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

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Birmingham, AL
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.