Birmingham AL vs Brownsville TX — 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 188,023 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 25.6% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 0.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.8% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $48,675 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $21,338 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 24.9% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 22.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Brownsville
$196,920
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $196,920 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Brownsville
18.7%
Brownsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.8% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 18.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 36.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 74.5°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, 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 442 in Brownsville. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA