Birmingham AL vs Frisco TX — 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%
Frisco, TX
Texas · Population: 53,348
- Median HH Income$57,216
- Median Home Price$663,246
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Frisco
53,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Frisco
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Frisco
40.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Frisco
12.8%
Frisco +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Frisco
61.4%
Frisco +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Frisco
14.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Frisco
2.8%
Frisco +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Frisco
29.7%
Frisco +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Frisco
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 53,348 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.8% | Frisco + |
| White | 25.6% | 61.4% | Frisco + |
| Black | 67.1% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Frisco + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 29.7% | Frisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Frisco
$57,216
Frisco +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Frisco
$39,883
Frisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Frisco
$63,758
Frisco +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Frisco
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Frisco
19.9%
Frisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Frisco
33.7%
Frisco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $57,216 | Frisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $39,883 | Frisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Frisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.9% | Frisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.7% | Frisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Frisco
$663,246
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Frisco
46.7%
Frisco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $663,246 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.7% | Frisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Frisco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Frisco
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Frisco
30.0%
Frisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Frisco
8.5%
Frisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Frisco
13.9%
Frisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Frisco
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.0% | Frisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.5% | Frisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.9% | Frisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.0% | Frisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.0% | Frisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Frisco
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Frisco
41.2 in
Frisco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 41.2 in | Frisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Frisco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Frisco
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Frisco
22.8 min
Frisco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.8 min | Frisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Frisco leads in median household income at $57,216, 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 442 in Frisco. 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, Frisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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