Birmingham AL vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 25.6% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 67.1% | 25.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $253,319 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, 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%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, 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 +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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