Birmingham AL vs Charleston WV — 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%
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 47,918 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 42.6 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 3.9% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 67.1% | 11.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 1.9% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Birmingham +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $50,163 | Birmingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Charleston
$164,532
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $164,532 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Charleston
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.2% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.7% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.2 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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