CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Palm Bay, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
FL
Palm Bay
100
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Birmingham is moderately cheaper than Palm Bay — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $87,300 in Palm Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+55.4%
Birmingham
71.9
Palm Bay
111.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Birmingham
96.4
Palm Bay
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Birmingham
101.5
Palm Bay
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.2%
Birmingham
91.9
Palm Bay
93.9
Utilities+5.1%
Birmingham
83.8
Palm Bay
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Palm Bay, FL
$87,300
$7,300 more needed in Palm Bay

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.0917. 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×

Palm Bay, FL

Median Home Price
$336,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
111.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Palm Bay has 55.4% 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

Palm Bay, FL

Median Household Income
$78,600
Per Capita Income
$44,800
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
119,760
Top Industries
AerospaceHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingRetail

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)

Palm Bay, FL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.