Birmingham AL vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 25.6% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 30.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $286,396 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 70.2°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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