CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Birmingham — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $77,400 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.8%
Birmingham
71.9
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Birmingham
96.4
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Birmingham
101.5
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Birmingham
91.9
Springfield
88.4
Utilities+2.4%
Birmingham
83.8
Springfield
85.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 0.9672. 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×

Springfield, MO

Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Birmingham has 8.8% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

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

Springfield, MO

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

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)

Springfield, MO
4.1×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.