Birmingham AL vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 25.6% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 67.1% | 32.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $48,050 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,995 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.2% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 27.4% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 30.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $241,380 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 42.7% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.1% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, 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 434 in Buffalo. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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