Birmingham AL vs Laredo 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 25.6% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 67.1% | 0.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.5% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $24,584 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 21.5% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $221,806 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, 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%
Laredo
42.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Laredo
16.4%
Laredo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 35.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 74.2°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Laredo
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, 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
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, 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 Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Laredo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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