Birmingham AL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 25.6% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 67.1% | 42.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $374,265 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 43.5% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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