Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Tacoma?

Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Tacoma?

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

Birmingham vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 47% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$857

$1,178

+37% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$1,332

+33% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,693

+68% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$2,094

+76% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$454,600

+228% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$83,857

+89% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$72,610

+52% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

37.3 yr

+1.4 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

45.1%

56.5%

+11.4 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

33.5%

+2.8 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

21.5 min

29.0 min

+7.5 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

1,064.4

+16% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

5,695.2

+35% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+11.2°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

43.0 in

+10.7 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Tacoma?: Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Tacoma?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).