City profile
Birmingham, AL
Civil rights landmark city with UAB’s top-tier medical center and a revived downtown food scene.
Climate
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Winter avg
44°F
Summer avg
81°F
Sunny days / yr
212
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$175,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,210
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
88
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.40%
- State income tax (top)
- 5%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 9.29%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 98/100
Top hazards: Tornado, Lightning, Cold wave
Nearest major airport
4 mi to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 56% Democratic / 43% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
198,173
Growth since 2019
-6.7%
Median age
35.6
Residents 65+
16.5%
Median household income
$46,051
Income growth since 2019
+23.2%
Black household income
$38,263
Home ownership
45.5%
Poverty rate
24.7%
Poverty rate, 65+
18.8%
Race & ethnicity: Black 66.7% · White 24.2% · Hispanic 4.8% · Asian 1.4% · Other 2.9%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
1,238 · 276% above the national average
Property crime
4,466 · 188% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Birmingham Police Department. State average: violent 353, property 1,502.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸AL is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), tornadoes
Highlights
- Civil Rights Institute & historic districts
- UAB world-class healthcare
- Very low property taxes
Trade-offs
- Higher crime in some areas
- Hot humid summers
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.