Birmingham AL vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 25.6% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 67.1% | 13.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $207,961 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | 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
Birmingham +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, 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 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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