Signals
Memphis
Birmingham
Opportunity
26 · Bottom 4%
vs35 · Bottom 11%
Climate
68 · Bottom 40%
vs74 · Top 32%
Physical resilience
49 · Bottom 41%
vs59 · Top 49%
Housing affordability
75 · Bottom 42%
vs70 · Bottom 34%
Access
98 · Top 19%
vs97 · Top 29%
Economic stability
39 · Bottom 16%
vs29 · Bottom 6%
Measured values
| Metric | Memphis | Birmingham | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 618,980 | 198,173 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $51,736 | $46,051 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,100 | $32,216 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,136/sq mi | 1,347/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $169,000 | $158,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,181 | $1,107 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 44.9% | 45.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.0% | 31.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 24.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 92°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 33°F | 35°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 56.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 5 mi | 4 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.7 min | 22.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 220 | 56 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Memphis
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Birmingham
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
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Memphis
51
Your Score
—
Area Score
Birmingham
58
Your Score
56
Area Score
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Full profiles: Memphis, TN · Birmingham, AL · How this is calculated: methodology