Living Cost Compare
Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

vs
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID 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 $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 36% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL
Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio
$857
$818
+5% in Birmingham, AL
1 Bedroom
$1,004
$827
+18% in Birmingham, AL
2 Bedroom
$1,005
$957
+5% in Birmingham, AL
3 Bedroom
$1,188
$1,278
+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$138,600
$298,600
+115% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$44,376
$69,630
+57% in Idaho Falls, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,770
$46,800
+2% in Birmingham, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
33.5 yr
+2.4 yr in Birmingham, AL
Homeownership
45.1%
64.1%
+19.0 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
30.7%
31.0%
+0.3 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Avg Commute
21.5 min
18.2 min
+3.3 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,274.7
365.3
+71% in Birmingham, AL
Property Crime
4,233
1,235.5
+71% 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
44.2°F
+19.1°F in Birmingham, AL
Annual Precipitation
53.7 in
10.4 in
+43.3 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$4.27/gal
+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
14.4
+12% in Birmingham, AL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.06
$11.33
+53% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.82
+20% in Idaho Falls, ID
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$2.04
+17% in Idaho Falls, ID
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Birmingham, AL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$7.36
+14% in Idaho Falls, ID
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.01
+6% in Idaho Falls, ID
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / ID)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in ID
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
5.30%
+0.3 pp in ID

Birmingham vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (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 Idaho Falls?
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 Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Idaho Falls?
Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).