Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Birmingham to New York
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Birmingham, Alabama, and New York, New York, offer distinct trade-offs between income, housing costs, and commuting. Birmingham features a median household income of $46,051, a median gross rent of $1,107, a median home value of $158,800, and a derived one-way commute of 23 minutes. In contrast, New York records a median household income of $80,483, a higher median gross rent of $1,821, a median home value of $777,600, and a 44-minute commute. While New York provides substantially higher earnings, its housing expenses are significantly elevated. Furthermore, New York incorporates a simplified state income tax reference of 5.50%, whereas Birmingham's state income tax is excluded due to lack of an approved official reference. Neither city guarantees a universal lifestyle advantage.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to New York → BirminghamMoving from Birmingham to New York
Median Rent Impact
+$714/mo
Moving to New York costs ~$8,568 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.5%
~$5,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in New York.
Daily Commute Difference
+21 min / day
Difference of ~175 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTBIR → NYC
38/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$2,344after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainThe deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort
Watch closelyThe cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate New York City resident income tax
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Birmingham is about $8,568 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Birmingham household income$46,051
New York household income$80,483
Birmingham gross rent$1,107
New York gross rent$1,821
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Birmingham | New York |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 198,173 | 8,483,844 |
| Median household income | $46,051 | $80,483 |
| Median gross rent | $1,107 | $1,821 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $158,800 | $777,600 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 5.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Birmingham and 44 minutes in New York. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Median gross rent variations
- Median owner-occupied home value gaps
- Derived one-way commute time discrepancies
What each city wins
Birmingham
A median owner-occupied home value of $158,800.. Watch lower median home values pair with a modest median household income of $46,051..
New York
The deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort. Watch the cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate new york city resident income tax.
Frequently asked questions
How do the median household incomes compare between Birmingham and New York?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Birmingham has a median household income of $46,051, while New York reports a median household income of $80,483.
What are the housing and commute differences in these cities?
Birmingham features a median gross rent of $1,107, a home value of $158,800, and a 23-minute commute. New York shows a median gross rent of $1,821, a home value of $777,600, and a 44-minute commute.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.