Birmingham AL vs New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 25.6% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 67.1% | 22.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.7% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $816,078 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 32.8% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
New York
1736
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, 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 York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 44.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 York. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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