Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
32% lower compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
25% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,583 | -25% |
| Groceries | $440 | $623 | -29% |
| Utilities | $275 | $409 | -33% |
| Transport | $120 | $350 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $3,165 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Birmingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Birmingham.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Birmingham.
From a growth perspective, Birmingham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
Anchorage
#14Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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