Birmingham AL vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 135,887 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 25.6% | 24.8% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 17.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $28,490 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 14.2% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $531,592 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 25.4% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 28.1% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 29.3 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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