Birmingham AL vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 119,508 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 25.6% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 67.1% | 31.5% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $399,650 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 75.4°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 62.3 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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