City Comparison · 2026
Birmingham vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Birmingham = $155k in Chicago
Metric
Birmingham
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.89
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,020/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,280/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
AL
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,901
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.1%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$61,661
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Birmingham AL | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,413 $3,951/mo · 20.98% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,901 $6,158/mo · 26.1% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,943 $8,829/mo · 29.37% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Birmingham has a cost-of-living index of 0.89 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Birmingham is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Birmingham is $1,020/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Birmingham?
$100k in Birmingham = $155k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 55.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Birmingham or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,901 in AL (Birmingham) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $61,661 in Birmingham vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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