Birmingham AL vs Killeen TX — 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%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 45,598 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 44.1 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 25.6% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Killeen
$220,846
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $220,846 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Killeen
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 45.7% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.7% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.3% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 66.0°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 30.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, 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 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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%.
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