Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% lower compared to Enterprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
21% higher than Enterprise's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,495 | +21% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $260 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,525 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Birmingham | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,834 | $47,412 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $59,800 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,130 idx | 57,820 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $73,125 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 85.0/10 | 19.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 6.2x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Enterprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enterprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,357 | 31,698 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.56% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
Birmingham boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average.
The city has a robust and diversifying job market, particularly in healthcare, finance, and technology.
Birmingham offers a nationally recognized culinary scene with numerous acclaimed restaurants.
The median home value in Birmingham is considerably lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Birmingham has a high walkability score, indicating many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Birmingham's crime rates are significantly higher than the Alabama average.
The median rent in Birmingham is 56% above the national median.
Public transportation usage is low, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Assisted living expenses in Birmingham are exceptionally high compared to state and national averages.
The city has experienced a population decrease in recent decades.
Enterprise
Advantages
The median rent in Enterprise is 23% below the national average, making housing more affordable.
Enterprise has a growing population, with a 1.56% annual growth rate in 2026.
The city's unemployment rate was 2.3% in April 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Medical Center Enterprise earned an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The city offers a newly renovated recreation center with modern fitness and aquatic facilities, enhancing community amenities.
Drawbacks
Enterprise has a low Walk Score of 19, indicating it is a car-dependent city with limited walkability.
Public transit options are very limited, with a low Transit Access score of 1/10.
Crime rates in Enterprise are reported to be higher than the national average, particularly for violent crimes.
Summers in Enterprise are long, hot, and oppressive, with high humidity levels.
Some online claims about the city's crime rate rely on outdated data, leading to potential misinformation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#30Alabama, USA
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$60,834
Cost Index
88
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
85.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
67
Business
0
Enterprise
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$47,412
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
19.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.56%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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