Firstly why Birmingham, Alabama?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Birmingham
• State: Alabama
• Population: 210,710 people
• Birmingham’s quick summary would be Known for its vibrant steel industry history and the iconic Vulcan Statue overlooking the city.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 25,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 23,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 1,500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a rich cultural scene and diverse job market appealing to a wide range of residents

Perk #1: Birmingham Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 50%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $46,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Birmingham is $62,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $16000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Birmingham’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 82 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,915
• Property Tax %: 1.47%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,200
• Rent for an average house: $1,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Mountain Brook
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Mountain-Brooks, Homewood, Vestavia-Hills, Hoover, and probably could include Alabaster
• Avg. Age of Homes in Birmingham: 68 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Birmingham’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Birmingham are  Healthcare, Finance, and Education
• Birmingham Job Scene: stable job market with healthcare and finance sectors
• The General Tech Scene: vibrant tech community with growing focus on bioscience, health IT, and software development
• Birmingham Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Birmingham: 4%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 230 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 18

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Birmingham

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-65 is a critical north-south corridor through Birmingham
• Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy congestion on I-65 during rush hour
• Transportation Score: 56 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Birmingham: 215,000
• Cars registered per Person: 1
• No. of Car Washes: 15 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Birmingham: revenue.alabama.gov/division/motor-vehicle/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
• Local Airport: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Birmingham’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
• General Weather in Birmingham is best described as has hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and mild winters with occasional cold fronts
• Winter Weather in Birmingham i’d describe as mild and rainy
• Spring Weather in Birmingham can be described as warm and often rainy
• Summer’s in Birmingham are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Birmingham is usually cool and pleasant
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 88 days in summer
• Days in a row in Birmingham below Freezing: 1
• Average Annual Rainfall: 54 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality stemming from urban pollution
• Birmingham Winter Air occasional poor air quality due to traffic and industrial emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Birmingham Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Birmingham 9
• While the number of trade schools inside Birminghams’s city limits are 10
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Birmingham Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Birmingham Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Birmingham only Doctors is about 160
• Local Hospitals here is  11
• Full-time Birmingham only Police Officers is about 970
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Birmingham’s Monthly utility bill average is $150
• Birmingham’s Monthly Gym Membership: $42
• Birmingham’s Water Quality Score: 56

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Birmingham

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 15 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: urban environment with historic districts and a vibrant food culture
• You might enjoy theater productions at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Birmingham  offers a lively nightlife with a diverse selection of bars restaurants and live music venues in historic districts

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Birmingham

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Has a vibrant scene with soul food Italian cuisine and trendy new eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 700 scattered around Birmingham
• The Popular Sports Team is Birmingham Barons
• Top Level Political Climate in Birmingham can be described as liberal city focused on social justice and economic equality
• Birmingham’s Longer standing religious establishment is The Church of the Highlands

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Birmingham Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Birmingham has 99 Parks?
• Railroad Park is Birmingham’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Birmingham Farmers Market normally open Saturday 7am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, mountain biking, and golfing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Birmingham Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Birmingham can be described as urban pace with a mix of business and leisure
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Birmingham exploring botanical gardens weekend hikes at local trails library story hours
• The Cities people commute to from Birmingham are Montgomery 92 miles away Huntsville 100 miles away Tuscaloosa 93 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Birmingham or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: heavy congestion on I-65 during rush hour. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Birmingham’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Mountain Brook is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Birmingham are Montgomery 92 miles away Huntsville 100 miles away Tuscaloosa 93 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Birmingham has 1 days in a row below freezing and 88 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Birmingham people have an average (positive or negative) $16000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   1,500 homeless people living in Birmingham. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal city focused on social justice and economic equality could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Birmingham.

Retiree & Senior Life in Birmingham

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can apply for a homestead exemption lowering their property tax rate
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Danberry at Inverness
• Birmingham Senior Center hosts various social programs fitness classes and special events

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Birmingham, Alabama?

If Birmingham, Alabama ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Birmingham, Alabama, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!