$80K in Milwaukee = $75,506 in Birmingham
Your $80K salary in Milwaukee (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $75,506 in Birmingham (COL 84). Birmingham is cheaper — your money goes 6% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Milwaukee $80K | Birmingham $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,543 | $4,723 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $372 | $357 |
| Transport | $72 | $40 |
| Utilities | $168 | $175 |
| Internet | $63 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,518/month | $2,893/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Milwaukee equivalent to in Birmingham?
$80K in Milwaukee (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $75,506 in Birmingham (COL index 84). That's 6% less than your current salary.
If I move from Milwaukee to Birmingham keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Birmingham, you'd have $375 more per month after core expenses — because Birmingham is cheaper than Milwaukee.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (84 ÷ 89) = $75,506. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Milwaukee to Birmingham
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only