Birmingham AL vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Montgomery
63.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 198,440 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 25.6% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 67.1% | 63.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.8% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Montgomery
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $151,721 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Montgomery
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Montgomery
1734
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 46.4% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 64.5°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 52.8 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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