Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Birmingham to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $46,051) and higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,107) than Birmingham. Phoenix also has a longer derived one-way commute (28 vs 23 minutes) and applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Birmingham’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month is a model assumption for both cities and not based on local observations.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → BirminghamMoving from Birmingham to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$475/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$5,700 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,884after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Birmingham is about $5,700 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Birmingham gross rent$1,107
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Birmingham | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 198,173 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $46,051 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,107 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $158,800 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Birmingham and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median gross rent
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax reference in calculator
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Birmingham and Phoenix relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median gross rent ($1,582) and higher median household income ($81,332) than Birmingham ($1,107 rent, $46,051 income). The rent-to-income ratio is lower in Phoenix despite higher absolute costs.
What role does the uniform non-housing baseline play in comparing these cities?
The $1,250 monthly uniform non-housing baseline is a model assumption applied equally to both cities and does not reflect local spending on utilities, food, healthcare, or other non-housing expenses.
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.