City Comparison

Birmingham vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

18.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.7%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $92,241 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
112
Ogden
Groceries
96
Birmingham
92
Ogden
Utilities
92
Birmingham
80
Ogden
Transportation
99
Birmingham
101
Ogden
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $92,241 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $60,981 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $385,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $437/month in Ogden. 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 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $320 in Ogden. 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 91 in Ogden. 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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $65,514 respectively. Ogden 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 18.7% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,241 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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