Albany GA vs Birmingham AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
White
Albany
18.9%
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Birmingham
67.1%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 4.4% | Birmingham + |
| White | 18.9% | 25.6% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 76.3% | 67.1% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 4.9% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Albany +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $44,376 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $31,616 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 25.2% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Birmingham
$137,201
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $137,201 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 45.1% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Birmingham
19.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Birmingham
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 42.2% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 19.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.6% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 53.7 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $45,201, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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