Birmingham, Alabama
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Birmingham.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Birmingham?
Birmingham, AL has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 62 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $138,600 and median rent about $1,047, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $44,376. Typical commute is 23 minutes; summer highs average 90°F. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 62U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $138,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,047U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $44,376U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Birmingham compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 196,357City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $44,376Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 62ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year38% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $138,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year54% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,047City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year22% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 37°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 56.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals72% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Birmingham declined 7.5% from 212,328 in 2010 to 196,357 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Birmingham expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Birmingham runs 38 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 62 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $138,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,047 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Birmingham?
Budget first around $1,047/month rent or $138,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $138,600
- Median rent $1,047/month
- Median household income $44,376
What is the job market like in Birmingham?
Labor-market context for Birmingham: unemployment 3.8% and median income $44,376. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $44,376
How long is the typical commute in Birmingham?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Birmingham. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Birmingham safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Birmingham?
Birmingham's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 37°F winter mornings, 56.6" annual rainfall, and 247 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 37°F
- 56.6 in rain · 247 sunny days
About 196,357 people live in Birmingham, AL. Median household income is roughly $44,376, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 62 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $138,600 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Birmingham is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Birmingham with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Gulf Coast humidity and inland pine hills shape day-to-day living here. With about 56.6 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment recently ran near 3.8%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Official FBI agency crime rates were not published for this place in the latest pull, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level research task.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Birmingham city, 1600000US0107000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Jefferson County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013876 BIRMINGHAM AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10