Birmingham AL vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 25.6% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $524,013 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Chandler
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | 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
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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