Fort Worth, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, are two diverse, vibrant cities with distinct cultural heritages and living experiences. While Fort Worth offers a unique blend of cowboy charm and urban sophistication, Birmingham is known for its rich civil rights history and booming food scene. Both cities have growing economies, affordable cost of living, and diverse neighborhoods. However, they both also have differences in industries, weather, and tax structures. In this text, we will compare these cities based on criteria such as crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, and others.
Distance between
Fort Worth, TX and
Birmingham, AL : 610.9 miles
Fort Worth's population is larger by 374%. Its population has grown by 400,814 people (75.0%) since 2000. The population of Birmingham has decreased by 45,245 people (18.6%) during that time.
Both cities have crime rates above the national average, with Birmingham's crime rate slightly higher than that of Fort Worth. However, neighborhoods in both cities vary significantly in terms of crime, giving potential residents and tourists many safe options. Fort Worth has active neighborhood police patrols and community engagement programs. Birmingham also emphasizes police-community relationships with the goal of reducing crime.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 3,166 registered sex offenders living in Fort Worth and 660 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Fort Worth is 270 to 1; the ratio in Birmingham is 322 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Fort Worth is near to than in Birmingham.
Cost of Living
Cost of living is generally lower in both cities compared to the national average. However, Fort Worth's cost of living is typically lower than Birmingham. Housing is particularly affordable in both locations, with median home prices well below the national median.
Income Tax
As for income tax, Texas state does not collect individual income tax which is beneficial for Fort Worth residents. Alabama levies a state income tax, ranging from 2% to 5%, thus Birmingham residents do have to pay income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Fort Worth are significantly higher than in Birmingham. Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the nation, while Alabama has some of the lowest.
Sales Tax
Birmingham has a higher sales tax rate than Fort Worth due to higher state and city sales taxes. Alabama's state sales tax is 4%, and Birmingham's city sales tax is 4%, totaling 10% when combined with county tax. In contrast, Texas has a state sales tax of 6.25%, and Fort Worth's city sales tax is 2% adding up to 8.25% when combined with county tax.
Income
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Estimated median household income
$68,235
$36,614
Estimated per capita income
$34,106
$27,211
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
95.4
87.1
If you make $50,000 in Birmingham, you will have to make $54,765 in Fort Worth to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Fort Worth is situated in North Texas, characterized by flat prairies and proximity to large lakes. Birmingham is set in the Appalachian foothills, giving it a more mountainous landscape.
Both cities take education seriously. The Fort Worth Independent School District serves Fort Worth, and it's one of the largest school districts in Texas. Birmingham City Schools serve Birmingham, with numerous private school options available as well. Both cities also host highly ranked colleges and universities.
Fort Worth's economically diverse foundation includes sectors like aerospace, healthcare, and technology. Birmingham, once a strong steel industry hub, now has a growing economy based on healthcare, banking, and technology.
Biggest Employers
In Fort Worth, major employers include AMR Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and Bell. Birmingham's major employers are UAB, Regions Financial Corporation, and AT&T.
There were 7,236 building permits issued in Fort Worth in 2012 (4810 more than in 2011) compared to 90 building permits issued in Birmingham in 2012 (31 less than in 2011).
In Fort Worth (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Birmingham (Jefferson County), 52.7% voted for Democrats and 46.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
2020
49.3%
55.8%
49.1%
42.6%
1.6%
1.6%
2016
43.2%
51.6%
51.8%
44.3%
5.0%
4.1%
2012
41.4%
52.7%
57.1%
46.7%
1.4%
0.5%
2008
43.8%
52.6%
55.5%
47.4%
0.7%
0.0%
2004
37.0%
45.3%
62.5%
54.3%
0.5%
0.3%
2000
36.9%
47.6%
60.9%
50.8%
2.3%
1.6%
1996
41.6%
46.1%
50.9%
50.2%
7.5%
3.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
17.3%
28.2%
33.3%
22.7%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.1%
8.4%
1.9%
2.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.2%
0.5%
0.9%
0.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
0.9%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.6%
1.6%
1.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
2.1%
0.8%
1.4%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
1.4%
0.4%
1.1%
Weather
As for weather, both cities offer hot summers, but Fort Worth is slightly hotter due to its location in North Texas. Winters in Birmingham are colder with an occasional snowfall, while Fort Worth winters are more mild. Birmingham gets slightly more rainfall view its humid subtropical climate than Fort Worth which is part of the humid subtropical region but also experiences semi-arid conditions.
Weather and climate
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Temperature - Average
65°F
62.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.4%
75.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34.1%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82.1%
88%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
35 in
53.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
3.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
16.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
63.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
21%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
46%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
6.7 mph
Average climate in Fort Worth, Texas
Average climate in Birmingham, Alabama
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Fort Worth
Birmingham
2018
67
83
N/A
0.29
5.8
9.6
27.1
26.2
18.9
N/A
N/A
10.5
N/A
2.3
2017
67
91
N/A
0.35
6.2
10.0
27.2
24.2
18.9
N/A
N/A
11.0
N/A
2.7
2016
56
87
N/A
0.34
6.3
12.1
25.5
27.6
19.7
N/A
N/A
10.4
N/A
1.1
2015
61
84
N/A
0.33
6.5
10.9
24.8
24.5
19.3
N/A
N/A
10.6
N/A
1.1
2014
56
84
0.22
0.29
6.8
11.7
26.6
24.1
21.3
N/A
N/A
11.4
N/A
1.1
2013
64
82
0.25
0.22
6.4
N/A
26.5
21.4
19.2
N/A
N/A
10.9
N/A
1.2
2012
87
92
0.26
0.28
7.8
N/A
30.3
24.4
21.8
N/A
N/A
11.5
N/A
1.6
2011
79
104
0.23
0.33
7.9
N/A
30.7
24.9
24.3
N/A
N/A
13.0
N/A
1.9
2010
70
101
0.23
0.24
8.5
N/A
27.7
24.1
25.6
N/A
N/A
12.9
N/A
N/A
2009
81
94
0.25
0.51
8.7
N/A
29.5
21.5
25.1
N/A
N/A
12.5
N/A
N/A
2008
69
105
0.25
0.72
9.6
N/A
25.8
23.9
32.2
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
N/A
2007
75
124
0.30
0.82
10.6
N/A
24.6
24.6
41.6
N/A
N/A
17.5
N/A
N/A
2006
90
131
0.34
1.16
10.2
N/A
29.7
24.0
33.2
N/A
N/A
18.0
N/A
N/A
2005
102
131
0.34
0.95
10.9
N/A
28.4
21.8
38.0
N/A
11.3
18.4
0.9
N/A
2004
78
116
0.39
0.68
10.6
N/A
25.4
19.1
39.7
N/A
N/A
17.1
N/A
N/A
2003
82
123
0.40
0.53
11.1
N/A
27.2
18.2
42.1
N/A
N/A
16.1
N/A
N/A
2002
94
133
0.37
0.70
11.8
N/A
25.8
21.2
37.1
N/A
N/A
17.2
N/A
N/A
2001
16
175
0.48
1.69
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.6
32.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
17
136
0.55
1.35
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.3
38.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
249.6%
252.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
562.8%
229.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
23%
32%
Transportation
Fort Worth provides an extensive public transport network including buses, commuter rail and bike shares. Birmingham’s public transit relies mostly on MAX Transit bus system and the Zyp BikeShare program.
Transport
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
2
358
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
19
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Bicycle
0.1%
0.2%
Bus
0.4%
0.4%
Carpooled
11%
7.4%
Car alone
85.8%
89.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.3%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Average
28.5 min
29.2 min
Other means
25.3 min
22.9 min
Public transportation
41.8 min
47 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
87.6%
90.6%
In 2 person carpool
8.5%
7.4%
In 3 person carpool
2.5%
0.5%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.6%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.6%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate markets in both cities are affordable and competitive, but Fort Worth's market is considered more robust, with a faster home appreciation rate.
Neighborhoods
Both cities showcase an array of neighborhoods offering different lifestyles. Fort Worth’s Sundance Square and Fairmount are popular, while Birmingham's Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are prestigious addresses.
Houses and residents
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Houses
361,341
108,533
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.3
Median year apartment built
1991
1973
Median year house/condo built
1995
1959
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.2 years
17.5 years
Houses occupied
334,286 (92.5%)
87,570 (80.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
185,197 (55.4%)
40,665 (46.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
149,089 (44.6%)
46,905 (53.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,068
$620.56
Median monthly housing costs
$1,328
$820
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$288,576
$51,535
Estimated median house or condo value
$249,000
$117,600
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.5
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$279,885
$178,184
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$97,076
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$337,081
$231,741
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$298,062
$220,662
Median house price - mobile homes
$58,470
$47,467
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$279,957
$189,730
Median house price - All housing units
$279,281
$184,367
Median house age
29
57
Renting percentage
40.8%
50.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,235.2
724
House value disparities
31.8%
42.2%
Household income disparities
43.6%
50.2%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$106,170
$63,812
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,147
$42,701
Housing units without a mortgage
2,986 (2.4%)
652 (3.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,696 (3%)
837 (4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
121,099 (97.6%)
20,029 (96.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
66 (0.1%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,171 (4.2%)
1,439 (7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
8
18
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.8%
5.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.7%
4.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Fort Worth
Birmingham
One, detached
65.4%
59.4%
One, attached
2.9%
2.1%
Two
1.6%
1.8%
3 or 4
4.1%
6.3%
5 to 9
5.8%
9.3%
10 to 19
6.5%
8.0%
20 to 49
4.6%
6.3%
50 or more
7.0%
6.1%
Mobile homes
2.1%
0.7%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
27,257
4,375
State government workers
8,587
5,819
Unpaid family workers
392
158
Industries and Occupations
Aerospace, healthcare, and education are among the top industries in Fort Worth. In contrast, Birmingham's prime industries include healthcare, finance, and education.
Healthcare is a significant sector in both cities. Fort Worth has a significant number of highly-ranked hospitals, including Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital. Birmingham is home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, one of the leading medical institutions in the region.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities have made significant investments in infrastructure in recent years. Fort Worth boasts a modern cityscape, while Birmingham's infrastructure includes renovated historic buildings and emerging sustainable developments.
Infrastructure
Type
Fort Worth
Birmingham
Hospitals
76
34
TV stations
25
17
Arenas or stadiums
7
5
Bank branches located here
175
124
Bank institutions located here
42
24
Main business address for public companies
24
31
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
3
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Fort Worth
Birmingham
1999
3,575
834
2000
2,473
835
2001
2,109
699
2002
1,701
548
2003
2,183
670
2004
3,202
928
2005
4,261
1,149
2006
4,161
1,235
2007
2,871
914
2008
1,256
426
2009
585
141
Culture and Food
Both cities offer rich cultural and food scenes. Western heritage is celebrated in Fort Worth, whereas Birmingham has a deep connection to civil rights history and Southern cuisine.
Sports Teams
For sports fans, Fort Worth is home to the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), and Dallas Mavericks (NBA). Meanwhile, Birmingham houses the Birmingham Barons (MiLB), and nearby Tuscaloosa is home of the Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA teams.
Fort Worth, TX
Birmingham, AL
Fort Worth, TX and 
Birmingham, AL : 610.9 miles
