Birmingham AL vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 102,558 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 25.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 67.1% | 12.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 25.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $174,763 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.4°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, 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 Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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