Birmingham AL vs Glendale CA — 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 192,270 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 41.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 25.6% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $1,205,826 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 35.3% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Glendale
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 64.1°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 30.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 503 in Glendale. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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