Birmingham AL vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 39.3 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 25.6% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 67.1% | 9.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $507,575 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | 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
Birmingham +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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