Living Cost Compare
Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

vs
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 35% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL
Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio
$857
$659
+23% in Birmingham, AL
1 Bedroom
$1,004
$716
+29% in Birmingham, AL
2 Bedroom
$1,005
$997
+1% in Birmingham, AL
3 Bedroom
$1,188
$1,335
+12% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$138,600
$177,100
+28% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Income

Median Household Income
$44,376
$67,859
+53% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,770
$49,360
+3% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
36.9 yr
+1.0 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA
Homeownership
45.1%
68.2%
+23.1 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
30.7%
32.9%
+2.2 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Avg Commute
21.5 min
18.2 min
+3.3 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,274.7
264.5
+79% in Birmingham, AL
Property Crime
4,233
2,726
+36% 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
48.2°F
+15.1°F in Birmingham, AL
Annual Precipitation
53.7 in
34.6 in
+19.1 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.85/gal
+6% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
15.9
+3% in Birmingham, AL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.06
$22.16
+8% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Birmingham, AL
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / IA)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
3.80%
+1.2 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Cedar Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Cedar Rapids?
Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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).