CostIndexUSA

Birmingham, AL vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is slightly cheaper than Birmingham — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $78,200 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing5.1%
Birmingham
71.9
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries2.7%
Birmingham
96.4
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Birmingham
101.5
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Birmingham
91.9
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities≈ Equal
Birmingham
83.8
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 0.9771. 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×

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Birmingham has 5.1% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.