Birmingham AL vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 25.6% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 67.1% | 7.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $251,035 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 24.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 68.5°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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