Birmingham AL vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Hialeah
32.4%
Hialeah +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 45.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 25.6% | 32.4% | Hialeah + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.6% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Hialeah
$53,079
Hialeah +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $53,079 | Hialeah + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $25,766 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.5% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 21.2% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Hialeah
47.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $444,086 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 47.1% | Hialeah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Hialeah
19.1%
Hialeah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Hialeah
13.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 19.1% | Hialeah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 34.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 76.0°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 70.4 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 31.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hialeah leads in median household income at $53,079, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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