Birmingham AL vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 115,263 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 25.6% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 67.1% | 32.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $251,699 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
High Point
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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