Birmingham AL vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.3 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 25.6% | 36.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 67.1% | 46.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Birmingham +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $39,187 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $27,078 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 11.5% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 30.8% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 21.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 41.2% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1866 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cleveland
42.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cleveland
17.7%
Cleveland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.7% | Cleveland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 21.5% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.3 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham leads in median household income at $44,376, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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