Birmingham AL vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 58,754 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 2.1% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 67.1% | 0.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.5% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $41,460 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 30.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $388,590 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cheyenne
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA