Birmingham AL vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 169,705 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 25.6% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $568,389 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 20.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA