Is Birmingham a Good Place to Live?
Thinking about moving to Birmingham? Weigh the pros and cons with our comprehensive guide.
Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
19%
Birmingham, AL
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,186
Population
213,610
Renter Mix
57% Rent
Alabama’s steel city thrives on innovation.
Breweries
•
Historic
•
Affordable
As one of the major economic centers of Alabama and one of the signature cities of the Southeast, Birmingham has done an impressive job of adapting to the new demands of the 21st century. The city that once built a reputation as the “Pittsburgh of the South” thanks to a robust steel manufacturing industry is now a hip community attracting entrepreneurs, artists, and innovative personalities. Birmingham remains one of the most active business hubs in the region, with headquarters for everything from banks to biotech firms operating in the city.
The dining, nightlife, and entertainment scenes have all grown rapidly in recent years, and just about everyone in town has an opinion about where to find the best brewery. Gorgeously preserved historic buildings and a pervasive attitude of down-home hospitality have kept Birmingham’s famous southern charm intact as well, creating a unique environment where the best elements of the traditional and the modern complement each other. The surrounding hills and forests provide beautiful scenery as well as unlimited opportunities for outdoor exploration on the weekends.
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Demographics
Median Household Income
$39,726
Average: $59,340
Education
53,613
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
96,629
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Birmingham has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
57%
Non-Renters
43%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
20%
Other Education
80%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Birmingham, AL is $999 for a studio, $1,186 for one bedroom, $1,307 for two bedrooms, and $1,611 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Birmingham has increased by 0.1% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,186/month
745 Sq Ft
House
$1,440/month
1,078 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,547/month
591 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,809/month
626 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Birmingham, AL is 10.1% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Birmingham is 23.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $999 - $1,611. You can expect to pay 0.5% less for groceries, 3.3% more for utilities, and 11.0% less for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Birmingham, AL is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
713 Students
Public
Grades K-5
619 Students
Public
Grades K-5
514 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
654 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
633 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
654 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
633 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
567 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
333 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,175 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,561 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
660 Students
Jefferson County Virtual School
Public
Grades K-12
254 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
1,147 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
826 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- McWane Science Center
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Birmingham Zoo
- Homewood Forest Preserve
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
Top Apartments in Birmingham
Houses for Rent in Birmingham
Living in Birmingham
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Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.