Birmingham AL vs Bloomington MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Bloomington
8.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 71,261 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.3 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 67.1% | 8.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.1% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,640 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 36.1% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Bloomington
$366,438
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $366,438 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Bloomington
1992
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Bloomington
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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