Birmingham AL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 71,124 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 25.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 67.1% | 52.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $327,117 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1991 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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