Birmingham AL vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 25.6% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 67.1% | 4.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 20.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $447,353 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.7°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 30.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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