City Comparison

Birmingham vs Evansville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

Alabama
87
Below Average
$165,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$38,178
Median Income

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

8.8%

Living in Evansville costs 8.8% less than Birmingham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $68,966 in Evansville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
67
Birmingham
55
Evansville
Groceries
96
Birmingham
95
Evansville
Utilities
92
Birmingham
105
Evansville
Transportation
99
Birmingham
98
Evansville
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
105
Evansville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $68,966 in Evansville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $81,563 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Evansville

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $170,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $451/month in Evansville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $420 in Evansville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 105 in Evansville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $60,750 respectively. Evansville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $1,134/month in Evansville. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 8.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,966 in Evansville, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Evansville's is 55 with median homes at $170,000.

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