Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Cheyenne?

Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Cheyenne?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/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 $980 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Cheyenne, WY is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 43% higher in Cheyenne, WY. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$857

$756

+12% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$824

+18% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,036

+3% in Cheyenne, WY

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,478

+24% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$311,200

+125% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$77,176

+74% in Cheyenne, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$51,540

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

38.9 yr

+3.0 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

45.1%

67.7%

+22.6 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

32.9%

+2.2 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Avg Commute

21.5 min

16.1 min

+5.4 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

334.6

+74% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

3,030.3

+28% 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

46.5°F

+16.8°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

15.9 in

+37.8 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.29/gal

+18% in Cheyenne, WY

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

14.8

+12% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.64

$13.31

+41% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Cheyenne, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / WY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

None

+5.0 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Cheyenne?: Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Cheyenne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Cheyenne?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).