Birmingham AL vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 118,578 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 67.1% | 14.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.3% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $265,013 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.7% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.8% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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