Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Birmingham
35.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 199,322 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 4.4% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 25.6% | Anaheim + |
| Black | 2.5% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 1.4% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 4.9% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $44,376 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $31,616 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 25.2% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 45.1% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 42.2% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.2% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.6% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 53.7 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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