Living Cost Compare
Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

vs
Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 34% higher in Providence, RI. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$857
$1,116
+30% in Providence, RI
1 Bedroom
$1,004
$1,030
+3% in Providence, RI
2 Bedroom
$1,005
$1,323
+32% in Providence, RI
3 Bedroom
$1,188
$1,627
+37% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$138,600
$322,800
+133% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income
$44,376
$66,772
+50% in Providence, RI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,770
$53,680
+12% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
32.9 yr
+3.0 yr in Birmingham, AL
Homeownership
45.1%
41.2%
+3.9 pp in Birmingham, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
30.7%
34.7%
+4.0 pp in Providence, RI
Avg Commute
21.5 min
25.0 min
+3.5 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,274.7
282.4
+78% in Birmingham, AL
Property Crime
4,233
1,665.6
+61% 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
51.6°F
+11.7°F in Birmingham, AL
Annual Precipitation
53.7 in
47.2 in
+6.5 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.86/gal
+7% in Providence, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.8
29.5
+76% in Providence, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.64
$16.06
+29% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Providence, RI
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Providence, RI
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Birmingham, AL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Providence, RI
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Providence, RI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / RI)
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in RI
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
5.99%
+1.0 pp in RI

Birmingham vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Providence?
Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Providence?
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 Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Providence?
Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).