Birmingham AL vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 193,721 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 15.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $371,202 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, 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%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.0% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 51.9 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, 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 Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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