Birmingham, Alabama

📍 👥 Pop. 200,431 🏠 ZIP 35201
80
/100
ReloCompare™
Median Income
$42,464
per household/year
Home Value
$123,000
median
Rent
$995
per month
Unemployment
2.7%
vs 3.7% national
Air Quality
19
Good
Internet
N/A
Mbps max • No fiber

📋 Living in Birmingham, AL — Overview

Top Rated Very Affordable Mild Summers Clean Air

Birmingham, Alabama earns a strong ReloCompare™ score of 80.2/100, placing it among the top-rated cities in our analysis. With 200,431 residents, it's a mid-size city that balances urban amenities with a more manageable pace of life. Housing is notably affordable here — the home price-to-income ratio of 2.9x is well below the national average, making homeownership realistic for many residents. The area has seen 15 federally declared disasters over 20 years, representing moderate natural risk.

🏆 Birmingham ranks in the top tier of all U.S. cities we track
💰 Exceptional value — top-tier affordability score

Score Breakdown

💰 Affordability
100
Home Value: $123,000
Rent: $995/mo
Electricity: ¢/kWh
💼 Job Market
75
Unemployment: 2.7%
Median Income: $42,464
Job Growth: % YoY
🌡️ Climate
50
Summer High: °F
Winter Low: °F
Sunny Days: /year
🌿 Environment
100
Air Quality: AQI 19 (Good)
Toxic Sites: 0 in area
Water: No violations ✓
🌐 Infrastructure
50
Internet: N/A Mbps
Fiber: Not available
Solar: kWh/m²/day
⚠️ Natural Risks
95
Disasters (20yr): 15
Flood Zone: None
Earthquake: Low
💰 Affordability Analysis: Birmingham stands out as highly affordable — the home price-to-income ratio of 2.9x is well below the national median of roughly 5x. Renters spend about 28% of household income on housing, leaving more room for savings and discretionary spending.
🌿 Environment Analysis: Air quality in Birmingham is excellent with a current AQI of 19 — well within EPA's "Good" range, ideal for outdoor exercise and those with respiratory sensitivities.
⚠️ Safety Analysis: With 15 federal disaster declarations in 20 years, natural disaster risk in Birmingham is elevated. Budget for comprehensive insurance and consider flood zone status. Hurricane risk is rated Moderate.
📊 See Full City Rankings →

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🎯 What Makes Birmingham Stand Out

Birmingham's strongest attributes are affordability and environment, where it outperforms many comparable cities. Overall, Birmingham may be the best fit for budget-conscious families, career-focused professionals, safety-conscious retirees.


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