Birmingham AL vs New Rochelle 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%
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
New Rochelle
4.6%
New Rochelle +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
17.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
New Rochelle
8.0%
New Rochelle +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 48,198 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.7 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 4.6% | New Rochelle + |
| White | 25.6% | 66.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 67.1% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
New Rochelle
$48,535
New Rochelle +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
New Rochelle
23.7%
New Rochelle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $48,535 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,033 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.7% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 22.8% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $920,484 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
1736
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, 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%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
New Rochelle
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, 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
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Rochelle leads in median household income at $48,535, 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 New Rochelle. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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