Birmingham AL vs Lubbock 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 25.6% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 67.1% | 8.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $210,477 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, 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%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Lubbock
18.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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