Birmingham AL vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 72,528 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 41.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 25.6% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 60.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $579,771 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 42.1% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
1736
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 38.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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