Birmingham, IA vs Earlham, IA

The cost of living difference between Birmingham, IA and Earlham, IA is dramatic. Birmingham is 30.4% cheaper than Earlham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Birmingham has a cost index of 53 while Earlham sits at 76, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Birmingham is $442/month compared to $779/month in Earlham — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Birmingham is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $248,400.

Median household income in Birmingham is $58,688 compared to $104,464 in Earlham (-43.8%). While Earlham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Birmingham spend roughly 9% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Earlham.