Birmingham AL vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 149,827 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 1.5% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 14.5% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.3% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 2.2% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Birmingham +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Birmingham +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $43,238 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $26,868 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $46,995 | Birmingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.4% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 26.8% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1808 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Jackson
18.4%
Jackson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 46.0% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.8% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.1% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 64.6°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 54.1 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham leads in median household income at $44,376, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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