Bedford, IA vs Birmingham, IA

Birmingham is moderately more affordable than Bedford, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. Bedford scores 59 compared to 53 for Birmingham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bedford can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bedford is $663/month compared to $442/month in Birmingham — a 50% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Birmingham has cheaper rent, Bedford actually has lower median home values ($88,900 vs $97,300).

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $58,688 in Birmingham (-2.8%). Birmingham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bedford spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 9% in Birmingham.