Birmingham AL vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 25.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 67.1% | 2.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $400,636 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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