Birmingham AL vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 25.6% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 67.1% | 29.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $248,749 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 44.3% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1866 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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