Birmingham AL vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 115,546 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 25.6% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $528,447 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 28.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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