Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 199,322 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.9 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 4.4% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 25.6% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.4% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 4.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $44,376 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $31,616 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 25.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 30.7% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 45.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.2% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.6% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 53.7 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA