Median rent is 2% lower in Birmingham ($1,107/mo vs $1,130/mo). Buying is cheaper in Birmingham, where the median home runs $158,800 versus $231,300. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($68,656 vs $46,051 a year). Taken together, Oklahoma City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.4 against 91.8 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oklahoma City, OK.
City A
Birmingham, AL
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from Birmingham, AL?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$74,738
You could earn $262 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,107/mo in Birmingham and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City. Home buyers face a steeper market in Oklahoma City: the median home is $231,300 versus $158,800 in Birmingham — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Birmingham
Oklahoma City
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
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Birmingham has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize higher median household income ($68,656/yr).
Pick Birmingham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.4 versus 91.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Oklahoma City.
Median rent is $1,107/mo in Birmingham, AL and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Birmingham, AL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $46,051 in Birmingham, AL and $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Birmingham, AL has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
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 $99,651 in Oklahoma City, OK (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
