Birmingham AL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 25.6% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $580,126 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA