Birmingham AL vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Charlotte
34.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 25.6% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 67.1% | 34.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $399,070 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 59.9°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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