Birmingham AL vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Spokane Valley +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Spokane Valley +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 105,460 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.6 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| White | 25.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 24.8% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $414,734 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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