Birmingham AL vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 99,184 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 25.6% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 67.1% | 0.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.2% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $456,900 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.9°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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