Birmingham AL vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 25.6% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 67.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $297,021 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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