Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 199,322 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 4.4% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 25.6% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $44,376 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $31,616 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $51,690 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 25.2% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 30.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.1% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Birmingham
1734
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1734 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 42.2% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 63.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 53.7 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 433 in Baltimore. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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