Birmingham AL vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 136,741 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.0% | Dayton + |
| White | 25.6% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 67.1% | 38.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.2% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Birmingham +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $43,454 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $26,381 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.7% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 27.1% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 20.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Dayton
$138,867
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $138,867 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1866 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Dayton
11.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.9% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 20.5% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham leads in median household income at $44,376, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Dayton 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, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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