Birmingham AL vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Davenport
4.6%
Davenport +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Davenport
1.9%
Davenport +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 101,083 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 4.6% | Davenport + |
| White | 25.6% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 67.1% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Davenport + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $64,497 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,583 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 30.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Davenport
$191,117
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $191,117 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.6% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 21.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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