Birmingham AL vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 25.6% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 67.1% | 39.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $310,519 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.4% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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