Birmingham AL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 190,214 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 25.6% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 67.1% | 13.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $429,449 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 41.2% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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