Birmingham AL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 49.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 25.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $858,307 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 72.5°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.2 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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