Birmingham AL vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 25.6% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,074 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $504,894 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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