Birmingham AL vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 177,520 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 25.6% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $478,489 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.9% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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