2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Birmingham, AL vs Hickory, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Hickory or is it cheaper to live in Birmingham?
- Hickory is 2.3% more expensive than Birmingham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Hickory or Birmingham?
- Hickory housing costs are 161.6% more expensive than Birmingham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Birmingham or is Health Care more affordable in Hickory.
- Health related expenses are 4.3% more in Hickory.
 Birmingham, ALHickory, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries93.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock127.3100
 Housing27.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$255,500$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock79.8100
 Miscellaneous82.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Birmingham    25 Reviews

Birmingham is better than ever, meaning it is beginning to gain half of the stuff a normal city of its size has. The food scene is definitely an exception and is above  More

   |    Reply

Lived in the Birmingham for years. The small city was divided by the historical train tracks into the north half and the south one. The north section was the  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I moved to Birmingham 6.5 years ago for a new job. The city is very boring in my opinion, there isn't much to do over the weekend except shopping or eating out. Summer  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Birmingham

Reviews for Hickory    8 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Hickory is has wonderful amenities such as the science museum, children's museum, aquarium, art museum, symphony orchestra, and great universities. Its not far from  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

Hickory is a nice place to live. There are great parks here. Glen Hilton is a beautiful park with lots of play structures and tall trees nice elevated walking path.  More

   |    Reply

Cons, No ethnic diversity"... How is that a "Con"? That means it has a rich traditional culture, where most people share a interest in the same  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Hickory


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.