Birmingham, AL vs Memphis, TN
Birmingham, AL comes out ahead of Memphis, TN on 26 of 51 statistics where one end is better, to 25. Birmingham, AL leads on Crime & Safety. Memphis, TN leads on Economics.
51 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 26
- Avg. percentile
- 34
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 25
- Avg. percentile
- 35
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 130th of 477 | 606,132 28th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $46,051 409th of 434 | $51,736 386th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $158,800 50th of 434 | $169,000 62nd of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 24.7% 397th of 434 | 23.1% 380th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 91.6 tied 82nd of 460 | 92.2 97th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $60,770 tied 331st of 460 | $60,240 345th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,107 129th of 434 | $1,181 158th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,236.0 384th of 395 | 1,849.4 395th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyBirmingham, AL · 5 statistics
- EconomicsMemphis, TN · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Birmingham, AL | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 96.4 tied 230th of 460 | 96.2 154th of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 83.8 tied 100th of 460 | 74.1 30th of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 71.9 tied 76th of 460 | 79.8 136th of 460 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 96.7 tied 85th of 460 | 95.4 39th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 31.1% 263rd of 434 | 28.0% 299th of 434 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $47,770 tied 315th of 460 | $46,890 350th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,107 129th of 434 | $1,181 158th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $46,051 409th of 434 | $51,736 386th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 24.7% 397th of 434 | 23.1% 380th of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 724.2 374th of 395 | 899.7 387th of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 91.6 tied 82nd of 460 | 92.2 97th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $60,770 tied 331st of 460 | $60,240 345th of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,236.0 384th of 395 | 1,849.4 395th of 395 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $158,800 50th of 434 | $169,000 62nd of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 87.0% 375th of 434 | 87.5% 364th of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 20.8 147th of 434 | 21.1 158th of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 4,375.3 381st of 395 | 4,967.3 388th of 395 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 42.5 393rd of 395 | 31.2 389th of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 728.8 383rd of 395 | 715.1 382nd of 395 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Birmingham, AL or Memphis, TN?
- Birmingham, AL comes out ahead of Memphis, TN on 26 of 51 statistics where one end is better, to 25. Birmingham, AL leads on Crime & Safety. Memphis, TN leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Birmingham, AL or Memphis, TN?
- Birmingham, AL has a population of 195,033 (130th of 477 US cities) and Memphis, TN has 606,132 (28th of 477).
- How do Birmingham, AL and Memphis, TN compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Birmingham, AL $46,051 (409th of 434), Memphis, TN $51,736 (386th of 434) among US cities. Memphis, TN ranks better.
- How do Birmingham, AL and Memphis, TN compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Birmingham, AL $158,800 (50th of 434), Memphis, TN $169,000 (62nd of 434) among US cities. Birmingham, AL ranks better.
- Where does Birmingham, AL beat Memphis, TN most clearly?
- Birmingham, AL ranks far ahead on Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 71.9 vs 79.8; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 31.1% vs 28.0%; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $47,770 vs $46,890.
- Where does Memphis, TN beat Birmingham, AL most clearly?
- Memphis, TN ranks far ahead on Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 96.2 vs 96.4; Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 74.1 vs 83.8; Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 95.4 vs 96.7.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Birmingham, AL or Memphis, TN.