Auburn, AL vs Birmingham, AL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Birmingham is 19.7% cheaper than Auburn. With a cost index of 75 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Birmingham to Auburn should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,034/month compared to $1,047/month in Birmingham — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Birmingham actually has lower median home values ($138,600 vs $342,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $56,123 compared to $44,376 in Birmingham (+26.5%). While Auburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, less than the 28.3% in Birmingham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.6°F vs 63.9°F). Birmingham receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 48.8" in Auburn.