Chicago
85
Purchasing power index · 100 = national avg
- COL index
- 117
- Parent median income
- 77,800 USD
- Sales tax
- ~8.98%
- Property tax
- ~1.88%
- Income tax
- Taxed
- $100k take-home
- $74,230
Back to calculator
US relocation · 2026
Chicago → 
Birmingham
At $100,000 gross, you’d need about $72,650 in Birmingham to match Chicago purchasing power — and same-gross take-home shifts by +$215/year.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Stronger purchasing power
Birmingham leads
City COL moves -32 from Chicago (117) to Birmingham (85). Parent median income delta (Illinois → Alabama): −$16,600. At $100,000 gross: equivalent salary ~$72,650; same-gross take-home +$215/year.
Side-by-side city scoreboard
Birmingham
118
Purchasing power index · 100 = national avg
- COL index
- 85
- Parent median income
- 61,200 USD
- Sales tax
- ~9.46%
- Property tax
- ~0.37%
- Income tax
- Taxed
- $100k take-home
- $74,445
●Example scenario: $100,000 gross (Single filer, 2026)
Illustrative numbers only—same formulas as the calculator. Take-home rows assume you earn the scenario gross while living in each city (local taxes apply). Below the tables, use “Open calculator — personalize results” to enter your salary, filing status, rent or buy, and more—the full tool uses this same city pair.
Salary & estimated take-home (USD)
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Annual gross (scenario) | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Est. annual take-home | $74,230 | $74,445 |
| Approx. combined tax + payroll burden | 25.8% | 25.6% |
| Take-home difference at same gross | +$215 / yr in Birmingham vs Chicago | |
| Equivalent gross for same lifestyle (COL-adjusted) | — | $72,650 |
| Change vs scenario gross | — | -27.4% |
| Est. take-home at equivalent gross | — | $56,571 |
| Burden at equivalent gross | — | 22.1% |
Annual gross (scenario)
Chicago
$100,000
Birmingham
$100,000
Est. annual take-home
Chicago
$74,230
Birmingham
$74,445
Approx. combined tax + payroll burden
Chicago
25.8%
Birmingham
25.6%
Take-home difference at same gross
+$215 / yr in Birmingham vs Chicago
Equivalent gross for same lifestyle (COL-adjusted)
Birmingham only
$72,650
Change vs scenario gross
Birmingham only
-27.4%
Est. take-home at equivalent gross
Birmingham only
$56,571
Burden at equivalent gross
Birmingham only
22.1%
Snapshot: how to read this move ($100,000 scenario)
Monthly take-home at the same gross. At $100,000/year, estimated take-home is about $6,186/mo in Chicago vs $6,204/mo in Birmingham—roughly +$18/mo more in Birmingham before housing ($215/yr annualized).
Cost of living vs taxes. Our benchmark COL index is 117 for Chicago and 85 for Birmingham (100 = national average). The destination is about -27.4% less expensive than the origin for that basket—then state/province and payroll taxes shift take-home further.
Equivalent salary to keep the same lifestyle. To match purchasing power after COL, the model suggests about $72,650/yr gross in Birmingham (~$6,054/mo), with estimated take-home around $4,714/mo. Versus estimated take-home in Chicago at the scenario gross, that is about -23.8% (by design, equivalent gross targets similar real spending power after COL and taxes; exact match varies with rounding).
Cash after typical 1BR rent (illustrative). Using average 1-bedroom rent in the housing table, roughly $4,376/mo is left after rent in Chicago at the scenario gross vs $5,184/mo in Birmingham at the same gross. At the equivalent gross in Birmingham, about $3,694/mo after rent. Typical rent differs by about $790/mo between the two cities in our data.
Figures use the same tax and COL engine as the calculator; your household, deductions, and neighborhood can change outcomes. Use the calculator below for your exact salary and housing choice.
Housing snapshot · average rent · 1-bedroom apartment
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly rent | $1,810 | $1,020 |
| Rent as % of scenario gross ($100,000/yr) | 21.7% | 12.2% |
| Rent as % of equivalent gross in Birmingham | — | 16.8% |
Typical monthly rent
Chicago
$1,810
Birmingham
$1,020
Rent as % of scenario gross ($100,000/yr)
Chicago
21.7%
Birmingham
12.2%
Rent as % of equivalent gross (Birmingham)
Birmingham only
16.8%
Rent benchmarks are city-level estimates; neighborhoods vary. Mortgage (buy) and other home sizes are available in the full calculator.
Housing: Chicago → Birmingham
Approximate median monthly rents for the primary metros in Chicago and Birmingham. Negative delta means housing is cheaper in Birmingham. Figures are planning estimates — neighborhoods vary.
1BR rent delta / yr
−$9,480
1BR % of $100k (Chicago)
21.7%
$1,810/mo
1BR % of $100k (Birmingham)
12.2%
$1,020/mo
Property tax (effective)
~1.88% → ~0.37%
Chicago → Birmingham
At COL-equivalent salary in Birmingham, 1BR rent is about 16.8% of gross — vs 12.2% if you keep $100,000 gross.
Apartment rent (monthly)
| Size | Chicago | Birmingham | Delta / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,550 | $850 | −$700 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,810 | $1,020 | −$790 |
| 2 bedroom | $2,200 | $1,280 | −$920 |
| 3 bedroom | $2,800 | $1,580 | −$1,220 |
House rent (monthly)
| Size | Chicago | Birmingham | Delta / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 bedroom | $2,300 | $1,350 | −$950 |
| 3 bedroom | $3,000 | $1,680 | −$1,320 |
| 4 bedroom | $3,700 | $2,100 | −$1,600 |
Buy instead? Est. mortgage (3BR house)
Chicago payment
$3,449/mo
Birmingham payment
$1,931/mo
Payment delta
−$1,518
Est. purchase price
$648,000 → $362,880
Illustrative P&I only: 20% down, 7% APR, 30-year fixed. Price ≈ annual rent × 18 (price-to-rent). Taxes, insurance, and HOA not included — open the calculator Housing section to adjust.
Sources: approximate metro medians (Zillow / Zumper-style US benchmarks; CMHC-style for Canada). Property tax rates are statewide effective averages. Personalize unit size, rent vs buy, and down payment in the relocation calculator.
Model housing for Chicago → BirminghamChicago vs Birmingham metrics
City COL plus parent state metrics (Illinois / Alabama). Highlighted cells favor the better figure for that metric.
| Metric | Chicago | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| City cost of living index | 117 (100 = avg) | 85 (100 = avg) |
| City purchasing power | 85 | 118 |
| Median household income | 77,800 USD | 61,200 USD |
| State cost of living index | 95.1 (100 = avg) | 85 (100 = avg) |
| State purchasing power | 105 | 118 |
| Combined sales tax | ~8.98% | ~9.46% |
| Effective property tax | ~1.88% | ~0.37% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 3.2% |
| Income growth (YoY) | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| State income tax | Yes | Yes |
Data: Census ACS / Statistics Canada; C2ER / StatCan cost of living. Purchasing power = 10,000 ÷ COL index. Sales and property rates are statewide averages. City COL on this page may differ from the state average.
Take-home by income
Same gross salary in both parent states — after federal tax, state income tax, and FICA. Advantage is take-home in Alabama minus Illinois (single filer, standard deduction).
| Gross | Illinois | Alabama | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,120 | +$240 |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $58,108 | +$228 |
| $100,000Headline | $74,230 | $74,445 | +$215 |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $106,556 | +$190 |
| $200,000 | $139,027 | $139,192 | +$165 |
At $100k: Illinois keep ~$74,230; Alabama keep ~$74,445 (+$215). City COL can change equivalent salary even when state take-home is similar — use the scenario above for metro math.
Why compare salary when moving from Chicago to Birmingham?
Cost of living and state income tax differ between Chicago, IL and Birmingham, AL. Here's how equivalent salary and after-tax comparison work, and how to use the relocation calculator for your move.
Equivalent salary and cost of living
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 117 (100 = national average); Birmingham, AL has 85. Moving to Birmingham typically requires a lower gross salary to maintain the same lifestyle, before accounting for state tax differences. An equivalent salary is the amount you'd need in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of living as in Chicago. Our relocation salary calculator uses city cost-of-living indices and shows equivalent salary plus after-tax take-home.
State tax and after-tax take-home
State income tax varies: nine states have no state income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming), while others use flat or progressive rates. So moving from Illinois to Alabama can change your after-tax take-home even at the same gross. The calculator applies federal tax plus each state's tax so you see take-home in both places. For a detailed tax breakdown, use our US Tax Calculator.
Key takeaways — Chicago → Birmingham
- Birmingham has a city cost-of-living index of 85 vs 117 in Chicago (national average = 100) — about 27% cheaper on our index.
- At $100,000 gross (Single filer), roughly $72,650 in Birmingham matches Chicago purchasing power (-27.4% COL-adjusted).
- Keeping the same $100,000 gross, estimated take-home shifts by about +$215/year (Chicago → Birmingham) after federal, state, and FICA taxes.
- Parent-state paycheck model at $100k (single): Illinois ~$74,230 vs Alabama ~$74,445 (+$215/year) — city COL can still change the equivalent salary you need.
- Illustrative 1-bedroom rent: ~$1,810/mo in Chicago vs ~$1,020/mo in Birmingham (−$9,480/year).
- Quality-of-life snapshot (indicative): overall 45 in Chicago vs 52 in Birmingham — lower safety & better weather in the new city.
Equivalent salary by income (Chicago → Birmingham)
Tax-aware equivalent gross in Birmingham to match purchasing power at each starting salary in Chicago (single filer). Same-gross take-home delta shows the paycheck-only effect of the move.
| Gross in Chicago | Equiv. in Birmingham | COL adj. |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $43,590 | -27.4% |
| $80,000 | $58,120 | -27.4% |
| $100,000Example | $72,650 | -27.4% |
| $150,000 | $108,974 | -27.4% |
| $200,000 | $145,299 | -27.4% |
Same calculation engine as the interactive tool. Filing status, deductions, and local wage taxes can change results — open the calculator to personalize.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL in 2026
Relocating from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL changes more than your ZIP code. Rent, groceries, and everyday prices track city cost-of-living indices (117 → 85), while paycheck math follows Illinois vs Alabama state tax rules plus federal withholding.
This page combines three views: (1) city COL for equivalent lifestyle salary, (2) after-tax take-home at the same gross in each location, and (3) housing and quality-of-life context so you can negotiate a raise, remote COLA, or a new offer with real numbers.
Because Birmingham is 27% cheaper than Chicago on our index, a flat salary move without a COL adjustment usually means a real change in purchasing power — use the equivalent-salary figure as your negotiation floor.
Equivalent salary: Chicago lifestyle in Birmingham
Equivalent salary answers: “What gross do I need in Birmingham, AL so my money goes as far as it does in Chicago, IL?” The simple COL form is current salary × (85 ÷ 117). At $100,000 that is about $72,650 before refining for taxes.
Our calculator refines that with federal + state income tax, FICA, and NYC city income tax when New York City is one of the cities for both cities. For the $100,000 single-filer example, the tax-aware equivalent is about $72,650 in Birmingham.
Use equivalent salary when comparing offers, requesting a location differential, or deciding whether a remote role in Birmingham needs a raise to stay whole.
State tax when changing cities
Chicago is modeled under Illinois rules; Birmingham under Alabama. Federal brackets and FICA apply in both places. NYC city income tax is included when New York City is one of the cities; Philadelphia Wage Tax and most other city wage taxes are not.
At $100,000 gross (single, standard deduction), our parent-state ladder estimates about $74,230 take-home for Illinois vs $74,445 for Alabama (+$215/year). Pair that with city COL — a tax win can still lose to rent.
Sales tax and effective property tax also differ between Illinois and Alabama; they do not reduce paycheck withholding but they do change monthly budgets once you live there.
Housing costs: Chicago vs Birmingham
For a typical 1-bedroom apartment, our housing model shows about $1,810/month in Chicago versus $1,020/month in Birmingham. On a $100,000 gross that is roughly 21.7% of income vs 12.2% if your salary stays flat.
Neighborhood choice matters more than the metro average: a cheaper suburb of Birmingham can erase a COL gap, while a premium district of Chicago can make “staying” more expensive than the citywide index suggests.
If you own a home, factor selling costs, buy-side closing costs, and property-tax rates in Alabama separately from the rent-focused tables on this page.
How to use these numbers in a Chicago → Birmingham negotiation
Lead with equivalent salary (Birmingham gross needed to match Chicago purchasing power), then show same-gross take-home so employers see the tax side. Remote teams often approve a COL differential when you bring a clear metro-to-metro worksheet.
If the offer is fixed, run break-even: how much must rent drop (or how much must you earn in overtime/bonus) before the move beats staying. The calculator’s optional commute, lifestyle, and one-time moving costs help that cash-flow view.
Re-run the comparison after you know filing status, dependents, 401(k)/RRSP contributions, and a real lease quote — those inputs move after-tax and housing percentages more than the headline COL index.
Who should move to Birmingham — and who should stay
Move leans ahead if…
- •You want higher purchasing power or lower state income tax and can lock housing near the metro averages used here.
- •Career, family, or climate reasons favor Birmingham, and you have modeled rent + taxes — not just headline salary.
- •Same-gross take-home rises and COL is not higher — a rare “win-win” on both paycheck and prices.
Staying may be wiser if…
- •Housing quotes in Birmingham come in far above the illustrative rents on this page.
- •Dual-career, schooling, or caregiving ties make the after-tax gain too small to justify disruption.
- •You prefer to renegotiate remote pay from Chicago using these figures instead of relocating.
Quality of life: Chicago vs Birmingham
lower safety & better weather in the new city.
| Dimension | Chicago | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Safety (0–100) | 42 | 35 |
| Weather comfort (0–100) | 48 | 68 |
| Overall | 45 | 52 |
Indicative comparison scores (higher is better). Verdict: Better. Not a substitute for local crime data or climate research.
Chicago → Birmingham relocation checklist
Practical steps before you sign a lease or accept a location package.
- 1Run the calculator at your real gross and filing status with Chicago → Birmingham prefilled.
- 2Compare equivalent salary vs the written offer (or remote COLA) in Birmingham.
- 3Get 2–3 real rent or mortgage quotes; compare to the 1BR / housing tables above.
- 4Check Alabama state withholding, sales tax, and (if buying) property tax.
- 5Add one-time costs: deposits, movers, temporary housing, car registration, professional licenses.
- 6Revisit insurance (auto, renters/homeowners, health network) — premiums often move with the metro.
- 7If remote, confirm tax residency rules for Illinois vs Alabama with payroll or a tax pro.
How to compare Chicago and Birmingham
This page summarizes the move; personalized numbers come from the calculator with your salary.
- Open the calculator with this pair. Use Open calculator so Chicago and Birmingham are pre-selected.
- Enter gross annual salary and filing status. The calculator applies federal and state taxes for each city.
- Review equivalent salary and take-home. See how much gross you may need in Birmingham for similar purchasing power and how take-home compares at the same gross.
- Optional: housing and other costs. Expand Housing, Commute, Lifestyle, and moving costs for a fuller picture.
The figures on this page use the same formulas and tax engine as the interactive relocation calculator. Here is how each piece is computed.
The example scenario tables above use a fixed 100,000 USD gross, single filing status, and tax rules for 2026 (same tax year as the interactive calculator). Housing lines use average 1-bedroom apartment rent for each city when data is available.
Cost-of-living index
Each city has a relative index where 100 is that country’s national average. A value of 120 means the modeled basket is about 20% more expensive than average; 85 means about 15% cheaper. US city indexes are rounded composites aligned with the C2ER Cost of Living Index (urban areas). Statewide tables elsewhere on the site use MERIC averages of those urban areas. Canada cities use Statistics Canada–style relative indexes. Neighborhood costs can still differ from the metro composite.
Equivalent gross salary (“same lifestyle”)
We scale your gross by the ratio of destination to origin COL: equivalent gross = your gross × (COL_destination ÷ COL_origin). That answers: “What gross in the new city matches the same broad spending basket as my current city?”—before taxes are applied again in the new jurisdiction.
Percent change vs your current gross
change % = ((equivalent gross − your gross) ÷ your gross) × 100. Positive means you need a higher gross in the destination to match the COL gap; negative means a lower gross can suffice.
After-tax take-home
Take-home is annual gross minus income and payroll taxes for the filing status you select. We use the same calculateTax engine as our paycheck and state calculators, with tax rules for 2026, each city’s state or province, and payroll taxes (US: Social Security and Medicare; Canada: CPP and EI). Where we model them, local wage or city income taxes are included. We do not model every possible deduction (for example voluntary 401(k) or RRSP deferrals); treat take-home as a planning estimate.
- Take-home in your current city — taxes your gross as if you live in the origin metro.
- Take-home in the new city at the same gross — same gross income, but tax rules for the destination state or province (and locality if modeled).
- Take-home in the new city at the equivalent gross — taxes the COL-adjusted equivalent salary in the destination.
“Approx. combined tax + payroll burden” (preview tables)
Shown as an effective rate: ((gross − take-home) ÷ gross) × 100, rounded to one decimal. It summarizes income plus payroll taxes on that row’s gross; it is not a marginal bracket rate.
Purchasing power line (example snapshot)
After we compute take-home in the origin at the scenario gross and take-home in the destination at the equivalent gross, we express the relative change as a percent: how much higher or lower the destination take-home is versus the origin take-home at those two points. Small differences are normal because tax schedules are not a perfect mirror of the COL ratio.
Housing snapshot (rent and % of income)
When shown, rent comes from our city-level housing benchmarks for the selected unit type (for example average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment). Rent as % of gross is (monthly rent × 12) ÷ annual gross × 100 using the scenario gross or equivalent gross as labeled in the table. Neighborhoods and exact units vary; use the full calculator to align with your housing choice.
All of the above is for education and planning. Your employer, deductions, credits, and local costs can differ—see our disclaimer on this page or consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Not sure what COL, equivalent salary, or take-home means? See the full glossary on the main relocation calculator.
Terms & definitionsFrequently asked questions
Common questions about salary comparison and relocation between Chicago, IL and Birmingham, AL.
At $100,000 gross (Single filer, tax year 2026), maintaining purchasing power from Chicago to Birmingham typically requires about $72,650 gross in Birmingham (-27.4% vs current). At the same $100,000 gross, take-home is about $74,230 in Chicago vs $74,445 in Birmingham (+$215/year). Equivalent salary = current × (COL in Birmingham / COL in Chicago); open the calculator to personalize.
At $100,000 gross (single filer), estimated take-home is about $74,230 in Illinois vs $74,445 in Alabama — a difference of +$215/year after federal tax, state income tax, and FICA (parent-state model). Sales tax averages ~8.98% in Illinois vs ~9.46% in Alabama; effective property tax is ~1.88% vs ~0.37%. City COL can still change equivalent salary even when state take-home is similar.
The tables use one illustrative run: $100,000 USD gross, Single filer, tax year 2026—the same calculation engine as the interactive calculator. Equivalent gross needed is ~$72,650; same-gross take-home shifts by +$215/year. It is not personalized; use Open calculator to enter your salary, filing status, and optional housing.
Click Open calculator — personalize results on this page. Your current and destination cities load automatically. Enter your gross annual salary, choose filing status, then Compare. Expand Housing, Commute, Lifestyle, and moving costs if you want a fuller budget picture.
Equivalent salary is the gross you need in Birmingham, AL so purchasing power matches your lifestyle after COL and taxes. Take-home at the same gross shows what you keep if your salary does not change—helpful for remote work or a fixed offer.
Take-home pay differs by state and province due to income taxes. A higher gross in a high-tax place can mean less real purchasing power than a lower gross in a low-tax, lower-cost city. Comparing after-tax amounts shows the real impact of moving.
The index is relative to each country's national average = 100. A city with index 120 is about 20% more expensive than the national average; 85 means about 15% cheaper. We use cost-of-living data from standard sources for US and Canadian cities.
Yes. We include federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus NYC city income tax when New York City is one of the cities. Philadelphia Wage Tax and most other city wage taxes are not in take-home.
Yes. For a 1-bedroom apartment, estimated rent is about $1,810/mo in Chicago vs $1,020/mo in Birmingham (−$9,480/year). That is roughly 21.7% of a $100,000 gross in Chicago vs 12.2% in Birmingham at the same gross. The Housing section also lists studio–3BR apartments, house rents, an illustrative mortgage, and effective property tax (~1.88% → ~0.37%). Open the calculator Housing section to change unit size or model buying.
We use relative cost-of-living indices (national average = 100) for major US and Canadian cities, aligned with commonly used sources such as C2ER-style indices (US) and Statistics Canada–style benchmarks (Canada). Indices are updated periodically; your exact experience can vary with neighborhood and lifestyle.
Enter gross annual salary. For hourly work, multiply rate × hours per week × 52 (adjust for part-time or overtime). For heavy bonus or commission years, estimate a realistic annual total or try a few salary levels.
Yes. At the same $100,000 gross, parent-state take-home differs by about +$215/year (Illinois vs Alabama) in our single-filer estimate. Also compare take-home at the same gross in both cities for local tax effects. Use the equivalent salary figure as a benchmark for a COLA discussion.
No. This page only covers moves within one country (same currency and tax system). For a US–Canada move, run the calculator separately for each country and compare conceptually with your own exchange rate.
Results are planning estimates based on indexed COL data and standard tax rules. Withholding, credits, deductions, neighborhood rent, and policy changes can differ. Verify with a tax professional or payroll for binding decisions.
On our city COL index, yes — Birmingham (85) is lower than Chicago (117), about 27% cheaper. You still need to check taxes and a real lease; a high-rent neighborhood in Birmingham can erase the index gap.
For a single filer at $100,000 gross, our tax-aware estimate is about $72,650 in Birmingham (-27.4%). Open the calculator to change filing status or gross.
Parent state rules for Illinois vs Alabama are in the take-home ladder and metrics table. City COL is separate and can dominate when metros diverge from the statewide average.
Scores are indicative (0–100, higher is better) for safety and weather-style climate comfort. Chicago overall 45 vs Birmingham 52: lower safety & better weather in the new city. They are not crime statistics or climate forecasts — use them as a secondary signal after pay and housing.
Related tools
Dig into taxes, flip the move, or compare other cities.
More city & state comparisons
Compare other moves or see which states are best for take-home pay.
Estimates for planning only. Cost-of-living indices and tax rules change; verify with local sources or a professional before relocating.