Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
40% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,975 | -40% |
| Groceries | $440 | $425 | +4% |
| Utilities | $275 | $180 | +53% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $2,850 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Birmingham | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#65Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
Vestavia Hills
#3Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
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