Birmingham AL vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 143,720 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.6 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 25.6% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 67.1% | 4.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $487,466 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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