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Is moving to Birmingham Alabama right for you?

If you’d like to live in a sunny city with lots of things to do outdoors, and thrilling nightlife, moving to Birmingham Alabama can be a great idea.

The city’s sturdy job market, affordable homes, and young population make it a great place for many young families and older people.

If you’re considering moving to Birmingham and wondering if the city is right for you, this guide contains all you need to know to make the right moving decision.

Jump right in to find out if moving to Birmingham is right for you.

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QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Birmingham

  • Birmingham’s average one-way commute time takes 21.5 minutes
  • Up to 2.0% of Birmingham residents work from home
  • Birmingham's summer high in July is around 90 degrees
  • Birmingham averages 213 sunny days per year
  • Birmingham’s median home cost is $79,000
  • Birmingham’s future job growth is predicted to hit 29.22%
  • Around 41.1% of Birmingham’s residents are renters

Top 10 things to know before moving to Birmingham

  • The city is 20% cheaper than most US cities
  • The housing costs in Birmingham are about 14% lower than the national average
  • Tornadoes are disastrous in Birmingham
  • The city hosts festivals year round
  • At 10%, the city’s sales tax is significantly higher than the 7.25% US average
  • The economy is robust as job opportunities are growing
  • Birmingham is crazy about sports
  • The safety record is not positive in Birmingham
  • The summers are too hot and humid here
  • The city boasts of an amazing food scene

What's the population of Birmingham, AL?

As of 2020, there were 200,733 people in Birmingham. The city’s density is 1,365.37/sq mi. The population of the Birmingham Metro Area is 1,115,289, which makes it the 50th largest population in the US.

Here’s a breakup of the Birmingham population

  • Among the population, 22.8% are White, 71.3% are Black or African-American, 0.8% are Asian, 0.2% are Native American, 0.2% are from other races, and 1.2% are from two or more races
  • The population is made up of 47.3% males and 52.7% females
  • The median age in Birmingham is 35.7
  • 32.4% of the residents are married couples living together
  • 15.3% are divorced persons
  • 32.6% of the population have children but are single

How fast can you commute to Birmingham, AL?

At Birmingham, an average one-way commute will take 21.5 minutes, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes

As you’re moving to Birmingham, knowing a few facts about how people commute there will be helpful

  • About 80.3% drive their car alone
  • About 11.2% carpool with others
  • An average of 2.0% work from home
  • Approximately 2.4% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Birmingham, AL.

How is the weather like in Birmingham, AL?

Birmingham experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall

Here are a few facts about Birmingham's climate for you

  • The city receives 56 inches of rain, on average, per year
  • It snows on average 1 inch per year while the US average is 28 inches of snow per year
  • On average, there are 213 sunny days per year in Birmingham against the US average of 205 sunny days
  • Birmingham receives precipitation on average for 112 days per year
  • July is the hottest month when the temperature touches 90°F
  • January is the coldest month when the temperature drops down to 32 °F
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Top reasons to move to Birmingham, AL

Birmingham has got many reasons to claim it as a hot moving destination. To help you, we’ve filtered down just a few points

  • Affordable living costs
  • Comfortable weather
  • High diversity
  • Growing job opportunities
  • Amazing performing arts culture
  • Unlimited outdoor fun options
pros and cons of Phoenix

Pros & Cons of moving to Birmingham

Yes, before you pack the bags to Birmingham, it is important to gauge both the pros and cons of living in the city.

To help, we’ve collated the pros and cons of moving to Birmingham.

Pros of living in Birmingham
  • Highly diverse society
  • Rich local history
  • Amazing food scene
  • Livability
  • Good education
  • Vibrant sports culture
  • Unlimited outdoor fun
Cons of living in Birmingham
  • High crime rate
  • Growing poverty
  • High sales tax
  • Environmental issues caused by population

Best neighborhoods in Birmingham

As you have almost finalized to move to Birmingham, you would be curious to know where to stay after reaching the city. Luckily, Birmingham has no shortage of quality neighborhoods to rent a home or later buy. To help you, we’ve listed out the 10 best neighborhoods in Birmingham.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1. Southside 18,410 $123,783
2. Red Mountain 11,498 $343,155
3. Maple Grove 2,365 $98,412
4. Airport Hills 5,760 $119,811
5. Evergreen 1,610 $80,795
6. Norwood 4,121 $66,344
7. Five Points South 12,236 $14,391
8. Brownsville Heights 1,071 $154,974
9. Wood Lawn 11,023 $73,338
10. Smithfield 7,317 77,460

Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in Birmingham, AL, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Cost of living in Birmingham

Birmingham, AL is one of the best places to live as the cost of living is 6% lower than the national average.

The amount you would need to spend a month would be based on the expenses, which may include transport, groceries, health, housing, and much more.

Living Expense Birmingham Alabama National Average
Overall 74.1 82.3 100
Grocery 93.3 94.4 100
Health 101.1 102.2 100
Housing 28.3 55.9 100
Median Home Cost $79,000 $165,200 $291,700
Utilities 101 101.2 100
Transportation 88.4 85.9 100
Miscellaneous 94.5 94.5 100

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How is the housing market in Birmingham, AL?

After reaching Birmingham, your primary concern would be to get affordable housing. Fortunately, housing costs are much lower than the US national average. In Birmingham, you can afford to buy a house by shelling out approximately $79,000. And home rentals in the city are also lower than in many other neighboring cities. Similarly, the home appreciation in Birmingham is up by 20.2%

In Birmingham, renters make up 41.1% of the city population, and 4.7% of houses and apartments are available for rent.

To help you, we’ve got the latest housing stats in Birmingham

  • Birmingham’s average rent for a studio apartment is $611
  • Birmingham’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $655
  • Birmingham’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $753
  • Birmingham’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $974
  • Birmingham’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,051

What are taxes like in Alabama?

As you start earning, the take-home paycheck will be greatly based on taxes charged by the state.

In Alabama, both the sales tax and income tax are higher than the US average, which may impact your income.

To know more about the taxes in Birmingham, here are some tax-related stats

  • The Sales Tax Rate for Birmingham is 10.0%. The US average is 7.3%
  • The Income Tax Rate for Birmingham is 6.0%. The US average is 4.6%
  • The average property tax rate in Birmingham is 3.33%

What are the best things to do in Birmingham, AL?

Birmingham is rich in history and culture. In addition, the city is located amidst a serene setting. All of these contribute to the unlimited fun, especially outdoors, in Birmingham

Here are the 10 best things to do in Birmingham

  • Tour the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights District
  • Learn more at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Explore the world at the McWane Science Center
  • Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Meet the animals at Birmingham Zoo
  • Prepare for a fright at Sloss Furnaces
  • Watch some racing at Barber Motorsports Park
  • Stroll the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • Feel nature at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
  • Visit Vulcan Park and Museum

How safe is Birmingham, AL?

While you move to Birmingham, especially with the family, safety would be a major concern. How safe is Birmingham? Unfortunately, Birmingham rates very low on safety scales in different studies

Here are more facts about crime and safety in Birmingham

  • Birmingham is safer than 1% of US cities
  • Birmingham's violent crime is 75.2 while the US average is 22.7
  • Birmingham’s property crime is 89.0 while the US average is 35.4
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 60 in Birmingham
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 20 in Birmingham
  • About 58% of the population feels safe in Birmingham

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

What are the top schools in Birmingham, AL?

Are you moving to Birmingham with the family? You’d be curious about the quality of education in the city.

You don’t need to worry as the city is home to some of the best schools and colleges in Alabama. We’ve made a list of the best schools and colleges in Birmingham, which may help you.

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