Birmingham AL vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 25.6% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 67.1% | 21.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $664,939 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 28.8% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 40.3 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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