Birmingham AL vs Greensboro NC — 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Greensboro
42.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 25.6% | 40.4% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 67.1% | 42.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.4% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $58,884 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $265,214 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Greensboro
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.1% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 59.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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