Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Spokane?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 33% higher in Spokane, WA. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$857

$884

+3% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$903

+10% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,192

+19% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,442

+21% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$326,200

+135% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$65,745

+48% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$54,660

+14% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

37.2 yr

+1.3 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

45.1%

58.3%

+13.2 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

32.6%

+1.9 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

21.5 min

21.2 min

+0.3 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

683.6

+46% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

4,931.8

+17% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+14.4°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

17.8 in

+35.9 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

14.9

+11% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.64

$20.41

+10% in Birmingham, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

None

+5.0 pp in AL

Birmingham vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Spokane?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).