Living in Birmingham, AL
Birmingham is the 132nd-largest city in the US, home to about 196,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.3% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 195,893-2.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $158,8003.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,107/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $46,051median, per year
- Price level
- 91.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 55° / 91°lows 35° / 72°
- Average commute
- 21 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 5%top rate, graduated
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County: Jefferson County, Shelby County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 614 ft
Metro area: Birmingham, AL
Cost of living in Birmingham
The median home in Birmingham is worth $158,800 and the median household earns $46,051 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,107 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Birmingham, AL metro area at 91.6, with housing at 71.9 and goods at 96.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,700 here. Alabama taxes wages at a top rate of 5%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Alabama is 9.46%.
What would my salary be worth in Birmingham?
Birmingham weather
Average highs run from 54°F in January to 91°F in July, and January nights average 35°F. It gets 57 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 1 inches of snow. Expect about 65 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are September to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Birmingham
People and work
The median resident is 35.6 years old, and 31% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 46% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.6219th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 31%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 46%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,332147.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%4% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 24.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1965median year
Who moves to Birmingham, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Montgomery (Montgomery County), Mobile (Mobile County) and Atlanta (Fulton County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Baldwin County, AL, Atlanta (Fulton County) and Montgomery (Montgomery County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Jefferson County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, lightning, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+3.4% in a year
Up 39% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Birmingham, AL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
43% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Birmingham-Hoover, AL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Birmingham
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Jefferson State Community College 11 miles
- Samford University 4 miles
- Lawson State Community College 6 miles
- University of Montevallo 29 miles
- Miles College 5 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Birmingham
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport BHM | 5 mi | 1,596,510 |
| Huntsville International Airport HSV | 77 mi | 804,665 |
| Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) Airport MGM | 88 mi | 193,746 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Birmingham
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 2 mi | 11,635 | $15,630 | 66% |
| Jefferson State Community College | 11 mi | 5,470 | $5,500 | 24% |
| Samford University | 4 mi | 4,206 | $32,950 | 78% |
| Lawson State Community College | 6 mi | 2,900 | $6,248 | 24% |
| Miles College | 5 mi | 1,155 | $16,497 | 19% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Birmingham
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 21, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 2 and the first frost comes around November 11.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Birmingham Airport, AL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Birmingham.
Wildfire smoke in Birmingham
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Birmingham on about 144 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Birmingham
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 88,788 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Birmingham
Downtown Birmingham is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 20,954 | 49 | 19.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Jefferson County School District (35,444 students), Shelby County School District (20,638 students), Hoover City School District (13,632 students), Vestavia Hills City School District (6,934 students), Homewood City School District (4,492 students), Mountain Brook City School District (4,425 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Birmingham's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Birmingham's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Longview, TX82% matchCompare
- Augusta, GA79% matchCompare
- Fayetteville, NC78% matchCompare
- Greenville, NC74% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Birmingham
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Birmingham
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.4 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.46% on average with local taxes.
- Data Poverty is high: 24.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
Birmingham report card from locals
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Birmingham through locals' eyes
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Cities near Birmingham
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover, AL | 10 mi | 93,550 | $412,200 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 46 mi | 114,316 | $255,500 | 87.7 | Compare |
| Huntsville, AL | 85 mi | 233,627 | $293,600 | 93.1 | Compare |
| Montgomery, AL | 91 mi | 195,300 | $161,900 | 89.7 | Compare |
| Auburn, AL | 101 mi | 85,113 | $364,800 | 87.9 | Compare |
| South Fulton, GA | 129 mi | 112,820 | $309,800 | 100.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Trussville, Helena and Mountain Brook lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Birmingham.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Birmingham with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Birmingham a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare Birmingham side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Birmingham?
The Census Bureau estimates Birmingham had 195,893 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 200,486 in April 2020 (-2.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Birmingham?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,700 in the Birmingham area. The median household here earns $46,051.
When is the best time to visit Birmingham?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, September to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 91°F and January 54°F for daytime highs.
What county is Birmingham in?
Most of Birmingham (95% of its land) is in Jefferson County. Smaller parts lie in Shelby County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Birmingham in?
Birmingham is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Birmingham?
About 614 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Alabama have a state income tax?
Yes. Alabama has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Birmingham. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Birmingham, AL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Birmingham Airport, AL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.