Birmingham AL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 25.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 67.1% | 6.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $871,599 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 44.3% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 28.8 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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