$100k a year, no longer in Raleigh
changea dispatch from
birmingham
AL
33.52°N
86.80°W
Birmingham was built on steel and reshaped by the civil rights movement, and you can feel both stories in the city. The Civil Rights Institute is essential, the food scene (Highlands Bar and Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club, plenty more) is one of the most acclaimed in the South. The Vulcan statue, the largest cast-iron statue in the world, looks down on the city from Red Mountain. Younger than its reputation suggests.
the verdict
cheaper each month than Raleigh
Birmingham is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,407/mo
15% cheaper than Raleigh(vs $1,663/mo)
5%
$42/mo more in state tax than Raleigh
vs 4.5% in Raleigh
$6,510/mo
$215 more than Raleigh
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$261k
41% cheaper than Raleigh
vs $440k in Raleigh
1.2M
vs 1.5M in Raleigh
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in birmingham.
Raleigh has the edge here, logging 201 pleasant days a year. Summer is real but not punishing: 28 days top 95° vs Raleigh's 5.
A real upgrade on things to do: 1.9× Raleigh's pace.
61/100
5% higher than Raleigh
vs 58/100 in Raleigh
Closest outdoor draw: Oak Mountain State Park, 12.8 mi.
79/100
19% lower than Raleigh
vs 97/100 in Raleigh
20
49% fewer than Raleigh
vs 39 nonstops in Raleigh
same energy as birmingham, different zip code:
compare birmingham with:
