Birmingham AL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 98,677 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 25.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 67.1% | 29.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.9% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $279,668 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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