Birmingham AL vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Memphis
62.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.6% | 25.0% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 62.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.2% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $147,306 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.7% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 19.9% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 54.9 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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