City Comparison

Birmingham vs Roseville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

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

Roseville

California
139
Expensive
$625,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$142,800
Median Income

The Verdict

37.4%

Living in Birmingham costs 37.4% less than Roseville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $119,828 in Roseville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
179
Roseville
Groceries
96
Birmingham
105
Roseville
Utilities
92
Birmingham
163
Roseville
Transportation
99
Birmingham
134
Roseville
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
106
Roseville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $119,828 in Roseville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roseville equals $46,942 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Roseville

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Roseville's 179, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $625,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $2,000/mo in Roseville, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 105 in Roseville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $499/month in Roseville. Birmingham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 163 in Roseville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $652 in Roseville. 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 106 in Roseville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $142,800 in Roseville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $102,734 respectively. Roseville 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 $3,332/month in Roseville. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roseville, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 37.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $119,828 in Roseville, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Roseville's is 179 with median homes at $625,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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