Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Davenport?

Davenport, IA 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 Davenport?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Davenport?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$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 Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA 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 $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 31% higher in Davenport, 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

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$857

$726

+15% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$777

+23% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$962

+4% in Birmingham, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,117

+6% in Birmingham, AL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$162,900

+18% in Davenport, IA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$64,497

+45% in Davenport, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$48,550

+2% in Davenport, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

37.8 yr

+1.9 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

45.1%

63.0%

+17.9 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

30.0%

+0.7 pp in Birmingham, AL

Avg Commute

21.5 min

18.7 min

+2.8 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

581.4

+54% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

3,559.6

+16% 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

49.3°F

+14.0°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

36.0 in

+17.7 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Davenport, 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 Davenport, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Birmingham, AL

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Davenport, IA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Davenport, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / IA)

+2.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

3.80%

+1.2 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Davenport?: Davenport, IA 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 Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Davenport?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport 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).