Birmingham AL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 141,925 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 25.6% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 67.1% | 20.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $28,819 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $196,465 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 20.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 66.6°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, 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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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