Birmingham AL vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 143,611 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 25.6% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 21.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Gainesville
$45,611
Gainesville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $45,611 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,282 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 28.0% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $299,633 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 38.5% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.3% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 68.9°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville leads in median household income at $45,611, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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