Birmingham AL vs Cape Coral 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%
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
4.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cape Coral +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 206,387 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 48.7 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 17.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 67.1% | 4.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 25.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
25.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $76,062 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $39,603 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 9.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 25.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
$339,638
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $339,638 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 77.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.6% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, 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
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Cape Coral
31.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 31.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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