Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Birmingham and Corpus Christi 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 · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Birmingham has a housing index of 67 while Corpus Christi sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Birmingham costs $165,000 compared to $195,000 in Corpus Christi, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Birmingham versus $1,100 in Corpus Christi.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Birmingham scores 96 while Corpus Christi scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Birmingham (91) are lower than Corpus Christi (93).
Median household income in Birmingham is $38,178 compared to $53,238 in Corpus Christi. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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