2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Birmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or is it cheaper to live in Birmingham?
- Philadelphia is 19.9% more expensive than Birmingham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Philadelphia or Birmingham?
- Philadelphia housing costs are 180.1% more expensive than Birmingham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Birmingham or is Health Care more affordable in Philadelphia.
- Health related expenses are 16.3% less in Philadelphia.
 Birmingham, ALPhiladelphia, PAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.3100
 Food & Groceries93.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.1100
 Housing27.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$205,900$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock141.9100
 Miscellaneous82.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Philadelphia    139 Reviews

Philadelphia is a very walkable and fun city to explore (albeit be aware of where not to explore at least at night). The city has beautiful old architecture , great  More

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I’m originally from New York City, then lived in a small city in upstate New York for eight years, then moved down to Philadelphia and have lived here for many years.  More

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Now the only reason some people disagree is because MONEY. If you live in “manayunk” (which I lived for 2 years) you can’t compare … you can’t compare your out skirt  More

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