Birmingham AL vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 138,019 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 25.6% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 67.1% | 39.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $54,550 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $229,993 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.2% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 66.7°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Columbia 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 Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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