Birmingham AL vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
56.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 183,483 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 2.6% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 67.1% | 56.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.9% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Shreveport
$48,465
Shreveport +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $48,465 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.5% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Shreveport
$146,463
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $146,463 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Shreveport
17.6%
Shreveport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 43.1% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.6% | Shreveport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.1% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 19.1% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 52.7 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Shreveport leads in median household income at $48,465, 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 643 in Shreveport. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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