Birmingham AL vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 121,944 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 67.1% | 10.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 20.9% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $210,384 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.9% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.4% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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