Median rent is 24% lower in Birmingham ($1,107/mo vs $1,457/mo). Buying is cheaper in Birmingham, where the median home runs $158,800 versus $412,200. Households earn more in Hoover ($109,253 vs $46,051 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (91.8).
City A
Birmingham, AL
City B
Hoover, AL
How much would you need to earn in Hoover, AL to maintain your standard of living from Birmingham, AL?
Equivalent salary in Hoover, AL
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Birmingham
Alabama
Hoover
Alabama
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Birmingham — median rent of $1,107/mo versus $1,457/mo in Hoover, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Hoover: the median home is $412,200 versus $158,800 in Birmingham — 61% more expensive.
Metric
Birmingham
Hoover
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Birmingham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Hoover
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Birmingham (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Hoover.
Pick Hoover if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,253/yr).
Pick Birmingham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,107/mo median).
Birmingham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.8 versus 91.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Birmingham.
Median rent is $1,107/mo in Birmingham, AL and $1,457/mo in Hoover, AL. Birmingham, AL has the lower rent by about 24%.
Median household income is $46,051 in Birmingham, AL and $109,253 in Hoover, AL. Hoover, AL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Birmingham, AL is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Hoover, AL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
