Birmingham AL vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 112,612 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 25.6% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,804 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $290,963 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, 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 834 in Las Cruces. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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