Birmingham AL vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 106,274 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 25.6% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Boulder
6.1%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 21.8% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $970,905 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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