Birmingham AL vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 25.6% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 67.1% | 11.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.2% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $426,069 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 460 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2417 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.0% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 67.4°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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