Birmingham AL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 121,537 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.1 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 25.6% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 67.1% | 28.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $225,222 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 67.6°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 61.0 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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