Birmingham AL vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 196,010 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 43.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 25.6% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $1,364,265 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, 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%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 31.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, 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 Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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