Birmingham AL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 25.6% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 67.1% | 37.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $46,628 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,451 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 26.6% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 29.9% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $241,627 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 37.2% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Rochester
16.6%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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