CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Hagerstown, MD Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
MD
Hagerstown
94.2
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Birmingham is slightly cheaper than Hagerstown — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $82,300 in Hagerstown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+5.3%
Birmingham
71.9
Hagerstown
75.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Birmingham
96.4
Hagerstown
96.4
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Birmingham
101.5
Hagerstown
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Birmingham
91.9
Hagerstown
94.5
Utilities+14.2%
Birmingham
83.8
Hagerstown
95.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Hagerstown, MD
$82,300
$2,300 more needed in Hagerstown

Formula: salary × (94.2 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.0284. 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×

Hagerstown, MD

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
75.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Hagerstown has 5.3% 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

Hagerstown, MD

Median Household Income
$75,400
Per Capita Income
$43,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
43,484
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsRetailGovernment

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)

Hagerstown, MD
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.