Birmingham AL vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 136,859 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 25.6% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 67.1% | 8.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $210,271 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 20.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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