Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Birmingham and Des Moines 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 · Iowa salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Birmingham has a housing index of 67 while Des Moines sits at 74 (national average = 100). The median home in Birmingham costs $165,000 compared to $210,000 in Des Moines, a difference of $45,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Birmingham versus $1,100 in Des Moines.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Birmingham scores 96 while Des Moines scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Birmingham (91) are lower than Des Moines (97).
Median household income in Birmingham is $38,178 compared to $55,958 in Des Moines. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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