Birmingham AL vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 25.6% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 67.1% | 18.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $334,719 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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