Living in Birmingham, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Birmingham · Census data 2020–2024
Birmingham has 198,173 residents with a median age of 35.6. The median household income is $46,051 (28% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $158,800, the median rent is $1,107/month.
Birmingham at a glance
- Population
- 198,173
- Median age
- 35.6State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $46,051State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $158,800State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $1,107/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 45.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31.1%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Birmingham a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 24.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Birmingham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Birmingham the median home value is $158,800, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,107 per month, which is 32.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,377 a month in housing costs.
Birmingham median household income
The median household income in Birmingham is $46,051 and the income per person is $32,216. 24.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Birmingham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 109,349
- Owner-occupied
- 45.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.5%
- Vacant
- 18.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.12
Birmingham demographics
- Population
- 198,173
- Median age
- 35.6
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.4%
- Households
- 88,788
- Foreign-born
- 4.7%
- Veterans
- 5.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Birmingham ›
Education in Birmingham
31.1% of adults 25 and older in Birmingham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 12.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Birmingham
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9.9%
- Drive alone
- 73.7%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 3.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 87%
Birmingham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | $158,800 | $1,107 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | $916,300 | $1,456 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | $558,500 | $1,463 |
| Tarrant | 5,925 | $42,070 | $120,100 | $985 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | $530,000 | $1,515 |
| Fultondale | 9,384 | $73,575 | $186,100 | $1,269 |
| Forestdale | 9,742 | $66,569 | $164,000 | $1,203 |
| Fairfield | 9,728 | $48,456 | $129,300 | $1,008 |
| Irondale | 13,464 | $72,343 | $255,800 | $1,320 |
More for people moving to Birmingham
Birmingham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Birmingham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Birmingham, AL?
The median household income in Birmingham is $46,051, 28% lower than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Birmingham?
The median home value in Birmingham is $158,800, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Birmingham?
The median gross rent in Birmingham is $1,107 per month, about 32.9% of household income.
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 24.7%.
What is the median age in Birmingham?
The median age in Birmingham is 35.6 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Birmingham?
The average commute to work in Birmingham is 21 minutes; 9.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Birmingham?
The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Birmingham?
31.1% of adults in Birmingham have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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