Birmingham AL vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 71,455 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 25.6% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 67.1% | 6.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $294,254 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.1% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.4% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | 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
Birmingham +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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