Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Topeka?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 21% higher in Topeka, KS. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$857

$702

+18% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$758

+25% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$977

+3% in Birmingham, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,177

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$130,600

+6% in Birmingham, AL

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$55,902

+26% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$49,540

+4% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

38.2 yr

+2.3 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

45.1%

59.2%

+14.1 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

29.1%

+1.6 pp in Birmingham, AL

Avg Commute

21.5 min

16.7 min

+4.8 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

856.5

+33% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

3,660.2

+14% 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

55.1°F

+8.2°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

36.5 in

+17.3 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.7

+4% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$25.12

+4% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Birmingham, AL

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

5.58%

+0.6 pp in KS

Birmingham vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Topeka?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).