Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Birmingham and Charleston have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Alabama salaries · West Virginia salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Birmingham has a housing index of 67 while Charleston sits at 62 (national average = 100). The median home in Birmingham costs $165,000 compared to $135,000 in Charleston, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Birmingham versus $850 in Charleston.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Birmingham scores 96 while Charleston scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Birmingham (91) match Charleston (91).
Median household income in Birmingham is $38,178 compared to $42,034 in Charleston. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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