Birmingham vs Syracuse: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Birmingham, Alabama compare to Syracuse, New York? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Syracuse is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 4% higher in Birmingham compared to Syracuse, while rent is 7% higher. State income tax is 5% in AL vs 10.9% in NY.
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Syracuse, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $123,000 | $117,900 | +4.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 | $932 | +6.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $42,464 | $43,584 | -2.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,289 | $26,472 | +10.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | -54.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.2% | 8.5% | +8.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 200,431 | 146,134 | +37.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Birmingham
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Syracuse
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Birmingham costs $123,000 compared to $117,900 in Syracuse — a 4% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $995/mo in Birmingham vs $932/mo in Syracuse.
- Income: Median household income is $42,464 in Birmingham and $43,584 in Syracuse.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5% in Alabama vs 10.9% in New York.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).