$100K in Tempe = $81,553 in Birmingham
Your $100K salary in Tempe (COL 103) has the same purchasing power as $81,553 in Birmingham (COL 84). Birmingham is cheaper — your money goes 18% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Tempe $100K | Birmingham $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,113 | $5,904 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $380 | $357 |
| Transport | $55 | $40 |
| Utilities | $210 | $175 |
| Internet | $62 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,806/month | $4,074/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Tempe equivalent to in Birmingham?
$100K in Tempe (COL index 103) has the same purchasing power as $81,553 in Birmingham (COL index 84). That's 18% less than your current salary.
If I move from Tempe to Birmingham keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Birmingham, you'd have $268 more per month after core expenses — because Birmingham is cheaper than Tempe.
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: $100K × (84 ÷ 103) = $81,553. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Tempe to Birmingham
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only