Birmingham AL vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 3.4% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 67.1% | 28.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Toledo
$47,532
Toledo +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $47,532 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $27,407 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.5% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 21.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1866 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.3% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 19.9% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Toledo leads in median household income at $47,532, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. 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, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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