City Comparison

Birmingham vs North Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

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

North Las Vegas

Nevada
111
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$78,500
Median Income

The Verdict

21.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.6%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $95,690 in North Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
120
North Las Vegas
Groceries
96
Birmingham
104
North Las Vegas
Utilities
92
Birmingham
109
North Las Vegas
Transportation
99
Birmingham
116
North Las Vegas
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
85
North Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $95,690 in North Las Vegas.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Las Vegas equals $58,784 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs North Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower North Las Vegas's 120, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $405,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 104 in North Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $494/month in North Las Vegas. Birmingham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 109 in North Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $436 in North Las Vegas. 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 85 in North Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $78,500 in North Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $70,721 respectively. North Las Vegas 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 $1,832/month in North Las Vegas. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 21.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,690 in North Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while North Las Vegas's is 120 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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