Moving from Birmingham, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
About 3,257 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 22.2% of income in Birmingham, AL and 21.2% in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Birmingham, AL Tuscaloosa, AL (monthly)
| Monthly | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,296 | $1,238 | −$58 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $244 | $244 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Birmingham. | $58 | $0 | −$58 |
| Take-home pay | $4,537 | $4,595 | +$58 |
| Housing | $1,263 | $975 | −$288 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,263 | $975 | −$288 |
| Food | $425 | $425 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.4 | $425 | $425 | $0 |
| Transportation | $156 | $156 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.91/gal (Gulf Coast (PADD)) | $156 | $156 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4% on other goods; 2% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $965 | $965 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.4 | $482 | $482 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 96.7 | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,700 | $2,046 | +$346 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.7% of income in Birmingham, AL and 16.7% in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Birmingham, AL Tuscaloosa, AL (monthly)
| Monthly | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,769 | $1,669 | −$100 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $434 | $434 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Birmingham. | $100 | $0 | −$100 |
| Take-home pay | $8,231 | $8,331 | +$100 |
| Housing | $1,375 | $1,165 | −$210 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,375 | $1,165 | −$210 |
| Childcare | $1,394 | $1,344 | −$50 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $129/wk, school-age $125/wk (2022 prices, Tuscaloosa County, AL); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,394 | $1,344 | −$50 |
| Food | $1,236 | $1,236 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.4 | $1,236 | $1,236 | $0 |
| Transportation | $313 | $313 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.91/gal (Gulf Coast (PADD)) | $313 | $313 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $44 | $44 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4% on other goods; 2% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $44 | $44 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $965 | $965 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.4 | $482 | $482 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 96.7 | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,903 | $3,263 | +$360 |
Birmingham, AL vs Tuscaloosa, AL at a glance
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 91.6 | 87.7 |
| Housing price level | 71.9 | 58.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,263 | $975 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,375 | $1,165 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,727 | $1,470 |
| Median home value | $240,200 | $230,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.48% | 0.32% |
| Median household income | $71,498 | $61,517 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $147 | $136 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Birmingham | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4% | 4% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.91 | $3.91 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $184 | $184 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Tuscaloosa, AL to keep my Birmingham, AL lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Birmingham, AL, about $64,091 in Tuscaloosa, AL (−8.4%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $114,305. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL cheaper than Birmingham, AL?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Tuscaloosa, AL is at 87.7 and Birmingham, AL at 91.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$346 a month in Tuscaloosa, AL.
How many people move from Birmingham, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL?+
About 3,257 people a year (±619), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.