Birmingham AL vs Boca Raton FL — 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%
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
98,833
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
45.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
5.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 98,833 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 45.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 25.6% | 77.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 15.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $102,722 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $72,542 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 60.4% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
$562,670
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $562,670 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 65.8% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 23.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.8% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Boca Raton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | 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
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Boca Raton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Boca Raton
23.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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