City Comparison

Birmingham vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

17.9%

Living in Birmingham costs 17.9% less than Overland Park. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $91,379 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
109
Overland Park
Groceries
96
Birmingham
96
Overland Park
Utilities
92
Birmingham
98
Overland Park
Transportation
99
Birmingham
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $91,379 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $61,557 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $414,000. The $249,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,188 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $456/month in Overland Park. 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 102 in Overland Park. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,379 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases