Birmingham AL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 75,721 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 25.6% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $765,686 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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