Bessemer, AL vs Leeds, AL
Bessemer is moderately more affordable than Leeds, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. Bessemer scores 71 compared to 79 for Leeds, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Leeds can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Bessemer is $922/month compared to $945/month in Leeds — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bessemer is more affordable at $129,800 median vs $220,400.
Median household income in Bessemer is $37,844 compared to $71,672 in Leeds (-47.2%). While Leeds is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bessemer spend roughly 29.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Leeds.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 63.9°F). Leeds receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 56.2" in Bessemer.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)