🙂A single person spends $2,230 per month in Hengelo vs $2,490 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,402 per month in Hengelo vs $3,867 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,573 per month in Hengelo vs $5,245 in Birmingham, AL, rent included.
🙂Hengelo is about 10% cheaper than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Hengelo and Birmingham, AL sit above the global median – Hengelo by 67%, Birmingham, AL by 86%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.47€17.91
$18.19$18.19
12.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.3€74.6
$58.9$58.9
44.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.92€12.18
$10.04$10.04
38.65%
Cappuccino
$4.13€3.61
$5.62$5.62
-26.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99€3.49
$2.17$2.17
83.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88€2.52
$2.38$2.38
21.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.91€6.04
$5.98$5.98
15.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81€5.09
$7.33$7.33
-20.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25€1.09
$1.10$1.10
13.64%
White Bread(500g)
$2.32€2.03
$3.50$3.50
-33.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.09€2.70
$3.99$3.99
-22.56%
Eggs
$4.54€3.97
$4.27$4.27
6.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.05€12.29
$11.23$11.23
25.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.76€13.79
$11.24$11.24
40.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.47€14.41
$14.62$14.62
12.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.35€2.06
$6.13$6.13
-61.66%
Banana(1kg)
$2.48€2.17
$1.92$1.92
29.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$7.38$7.38
-72.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.85€3.37
$5.13$5.13
-24.95%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04€1.78
$4.10$4.10
-50.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97€1.73
$4.98$4.98
-60.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25€1.10
$2.54$2.54
-50.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77€0.67
$2.74$2.74
-71.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.27€12.49
$6.93$6.93
105.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.92€6.06
$14.74$14.74
-53.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40€1.22
$2.25$2.25
-37.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74€2.39
$3.52$3.52
-22.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$5.30€4.64
$1.46$1.46
263.01%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$92.8€81.2
$54.6$54.6
69.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.65€3.20
$3.97$3.97
-8.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.48€2.17
$1.57$1.57
57.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.67€23.33
$30.60$30.60
-12.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31€2.02
$0.81$0.81
185.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€30.0K
$31.0K$31.0K
10.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7K€32.1K
$26.2K$26.2K
40.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$293€257
$211$211
39.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.35€23.05
$49.11$49.11
-46.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.02€41.14
$53.3$53.3
-11.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.35€27.43
$46.98$46.98
-33.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.82€19.97
$20.32$20.32
12.30%
Cinema Ticket
$15.64€13.69
$13.52$13.52
15.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,111€972
$1,214$1,214
-8.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.8K€9,475
$18.1K$18.1K
-40.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$113€98.8
$63.5$63.5
77.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.57€40.74
$27.62$27.62
68.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.3€85.1
$106$106
-8.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€112
$99.0$99.0
28.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,333€1,167
$1,524$1,524
-12.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$873€764
$1,137$1,137
-23.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,839€1,609
$2,622$2,622
-29.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,532€1,340
$2,316$2,316
-33.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,408€4,732
$2,934$2,934
84.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,577€4,005
$1,871$1,871
144.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hengelo
Birmingham, AL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,687€2,351
$3,162$3,162
-15.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.39
6.49
-32.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hengelo: July 12, 2026
Last update for Birmingham, AL: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,333 in Hengelo versus $1,524 in Birmingham, AL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 18% higher in Birmingham, AL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $85.0 in Hengelo versus $59.0 in Birmingham, AL. Groceries tell a different story – $341 in Hengelo vs $423 in Birmingham, AL – so Hengelo wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Hengelo vs Birmingham, AL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hengelo and in Birmingham, AL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,230 in Hengelo, $2,490 in Birmingham, AL – roughly 12% apart. Birmingham, AL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hengelo compared to Birmingham, AL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,345 per month in Hengelo and $3,735 in Birmingham, AL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hengelo and Birmingham, AL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hengelo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hengelo or Birmingham, AL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,230 in Hengelo and $2,490 in Birmingham, AL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Hengelo and in Birmingham, AL?
Public transport costs about 70% less in Hengelo. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Hengelo, where all-in costs run around $2,230, than in Birmingham, AL at $2,490. In Hengelo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Birmingham, AL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Hengelo and Birmingham, AL?
It depends on your priorities. Hengelo has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,230 in Hengelo to $2,490 in Birmingham, AL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hengelo or Birmingham, AL safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Hengelo and Birmingham, AL?
If budget matters most, go with Hengelo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Birmingham, AL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.