Birmingham AL vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 176,686 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 39.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 25.6% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 67.1% | 7.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $629,864 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.3 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.3 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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