Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Norfolk?

Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Norfolk?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 31% higher in Norfolk, VA. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$857

$1,102

+29% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$1,032

+3% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,214

+21% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,602

+35% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$271,900

+96% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$64,017

+44% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$49,430

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

32.4 yr

+3.5 yr in Birmingham, AL

Homeownership

45.1%

45.7%

+0.6 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

32.7%

+2.0 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

21.5 min

22.9 min

+1.4 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

479.5

+62% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

3,800.7

+10% 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

61.3°F

+2.0°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

44.8 in

+9.0 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Norfolk, VA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

17.6

+5% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.64

$23.66

+5% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / VA)

5.3%

+1.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

5.75%

+0.8 pp in VA

Birmingham vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Norfolk?: Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Norfolk?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).