Birmingham AL vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 100,501 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 25.6% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 67.1% | 3.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $570,592 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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