Birmingham AL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 25.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 67.1% | 7.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $429,253 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 20.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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