Birmingham AL vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 116,441 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.1 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 3.9% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 13.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.1% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.0% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Evansville
$31,236
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $52,251 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,236 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 22.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Evansville
$200,657
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $200,657 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Evansville
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Evansville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.0% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.8% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.7% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.6% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.1°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.8 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Evansville
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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