Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Bismarck?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Bismarck?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,190 in Birmingham, AL versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 43% higher in Bismarck, ND. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$857

$723

+16% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$803

+20% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$989

+2% in Birmingham, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,421

+20% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$291,400

+110% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$77,608

+75% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$52,560

+10% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

38.2 yr

+2.3 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

45.1%

65.8%

+20.7 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

38.7%

+8.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

21.5 min

15.5 min

+6.0 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

278

+78% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

2,417.1

+43% in Birmingham, AL

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.3°F

43.0°F

+20.3°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

17.9 in

+35.9 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Bismarck, ND

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.1

+14% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$18.21

+24% in Birmingham, AL

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Birmingham, AL

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / ND)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Bismarck?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).