Birmingham AL vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 25.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,152 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 30.2% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $324,946 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 69.8°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 23.9 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 450 in Tucson. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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