Birmingham AL vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 25.6% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 67.1% | 28.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $324,183 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.6% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 36.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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