Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Laramie?

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

Birmingham vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/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 $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 15% higher in Laramie, 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

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$857

$667

+22% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$728

+27% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$883

+12% in Birmingham, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,423

+20% in Laramie, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$302,200

+118% in Laramie, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$52,414

+18% in Laramie, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

26.9 yr

+9.0 yr in Birmingham, AL

Homeownership

45.1%

44.1%

+1.0 pp in Birmingham, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

55.8%

+25.1 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

21.5 min

13.5 min

+8.0 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

129.6

+90% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

1,175.9

+72% 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

41.0°F

+22.3°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

10.9 in

+42.8 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Laramie, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.2

+7% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$18.28

+24% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Laramie, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Laramie, 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 Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Laramie?: 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 Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Laramie?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Laramie 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).