Birmingham AL vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 25.6% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 67.1% | 38.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $29,679 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 26.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $226,456 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 41.5% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.1% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.3% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, 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
Birmingham +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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