Birmingham at a Glance
In the southernmost roots of Appalachia, where limestone mountain ridges give way to veins of coal and iron ore, lies the hilly, historic city of Birmingham. No city in the South is quite as sunny in its disposition or as unassuming. The city’s early industrial success may have earned it the name Magic City, but Birmingham lives up to it in more ways than one.
Birmingham is an affordable, approachable and cosmopolitan place to call home. Many of the city’s best attractions are free for residents to enjoy, including the Birmingham Museum of Art, the hiking trails at Red Top Mountain and all the activities on the City Walk BHAM, where you can do everything from skateboarding to pickleball. The city has its own symphony orchestra, gorgeous botanical gardens and a top-notch science center. And now, many of the city’s most important historic sites have been brought together to form the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument downtown.
The industry that gave the city its original magic spark — iron — may no longer be its most prominent, but a diverse array of businesses and organizations has filled in the gaps, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to Regions Financial and AT&T. Unemployment is low and job creation is on the rise in Birmingham, so whether you’re looking for a job in information or hospitality, Birmingham should be on your list.
Once the biggest city in the Yellowhammer State, Birmingham now ranks second behind Huntsville. The population of the city now sits just under 200,000, but Jefferson County — which encompasses much of the metro Birmingham area — has 675,000 residents — more than any other county in Alabama. While both the city and the county have shed residents over the last decade, the Magic City still has plenty of enchantment to offer, from the arts to sports to the great outdoors, giving residents lots of new reasons to love this old city in the South.
If you’re considering a move to Birmingham, Alabama, get an in-depth look at the pros and cons of living in the Magic City below, from the job market to real estate prices to the best places to hike.
Discover Birmingham: A Glimpse Into the Magic City
Affordable Living
To be sure, there are plenty of charming, Southern cities to consider moving to, but few are as affordable to live in as the city of Birmingham. The median home value in the Magic City is only $123,000 — less than one-third of the cost in Atlanta, where homes now average $395,600. Real estate in other big Southern cities like New Orleans and Jacksonville are double the cost of the Birmingham market, mirroring national trends.
If home ownership isn’t an immediate desire, you’ll still save big on rental costs. Birmingham’s median gross rent doesn’t even crest the $1,000 mark, far below the national average of $1,268.
The cost of living in the Southeastern U.S. is generally lower than elsewhere in the nation. Birmingham residents can expect to pay less for common household expenditures, like transportation, food, healthcare, personal insurance/pensions and miscellaneous expenses. But you may also earn less — the median household income in Birmingham is merely $42,464—nearly half the household earnings of the average American.
A Robust Economy
The greater Birmingham area now has a civilian labor force of 583,000, and over the past 12 months, nearly all industry sectors have experienced growth. Trade, transportation and utilities are far and away the region’s largest sector, employing 116,000 individuals. The government is the city’s second-largest employer, supplying 89,000 jobs in the region. Education and health services employ more than 81,000 Birmingham residents, and this sector grew by 5.6% between July of 2023 and 2024. Professional and business services employ an almost equal number, providing 74,300 jobs in the area, but its numbers dipped slightly over the past year, shedding 2,900 positions between this summer and last. Other significant industries in the area include leisure and hospitality, financial activities and manufacturing, each of which supports 40,000 or more jobs in the region.
The single biggest employer in the city is the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which is ranked #76 on the U.S. News & World Report’s top 100 public universities list and provides 23,000 education and healthcare jobs in the area. Regions Financial is the city’s second-largest employer, supporting 9,000 employees, and St. Vincent’s Health System is the third, employing 5,100 Birmingham residents. Other major employers in Birmingham’s diverse portfolio include AT&T, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Mercedez Benz U.S. International, Alabama Power, Wells Fargo and EBSCO Industries.
A Rich Cultural Scene
Birmingham may not have the population of a big city, but the depth of its cultural amenities is impressive for its size. There are brewery trails and coffee trails and mural trails. There are food fests, college ball, and all the NASCAR you can handle at the Talladega Speedway. There are art galleries and museums, theatres and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. And there are more historic sites and monuments than you could hope to visit in a lifetime. Here are some of our favorite spots in the region.
As Red Mountain’s towering statue of Vulcan attests, Birmingham was born in a crucible of iron ore. The 55-foot-tall iron god embodies the industrial alchemy of the Magic City — the natural and man-made resources that, combined, made the production of wrought iron and steel possible. But the Norse deity’s triumphant stance perhaps obscures the history of exploited labor practices rampant in the city and the nation at the time, fueling rapid growth at the expense of the workers supplying the fuel.
Without the workers at Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces, the Magic City would have earned neither its moniker nor its place on the map. This literal hotbed of industrial development once produced 900 tons of iron every day. Since it ceased production in 1971, it has become one of the city’s national historic sites and a popular spot for festivals, from Dia de los Muertos to the Birmingham Taco Fest. The magic of metal arts at Sloss Furnaces continues to this day, though, just on a non-industrial scale — there’s a great sculpture garden on site, and you can even participate in a group iron pour to make an artwork of your own.
But Birmingham’s historic significance is not confined to its industrial success, of course. The city also played a critical role in the Civil Rights Movement. Four landmarks in the Magic City are a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, including the Bethel Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, which was bombed in 1963, killing four young Black girls. At the fourth site, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, visitors can get a holistic view of the city at the time, both the discriminatory and violent systems that were legally in place and the citizens who fought and died resisting them. All are a part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, a four-city-block area that also encompasses the famous A.G. Gaston Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. and other major civil rights leaders strategized and temporarily resided.
In addition to these historic sites, Downtown Birmingham is a treasure trove of fun and wonders. The best place to start exploring is on the City Walk BHAM, an activity-rich development connecting cultural sites in the city. The City Walk has a skate park, a dog park, pickleball courts and performance spaces, and the most amazing thing is that it’s all been created out of seemingly useless space beneath the interstate.
From the City Walk, it’s an easy stroll over to the Birmingham Museum of Art, which has a very fine permanent collection as well as some of the most interesting exhibits of contemporary art in the region. The Boutwell Auditorium is right next door, and the BJCC — the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex — is just across the way. You’ll find everything from the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame to the Birmingham Children’s Theatre in this entertainment hub.
All this sightseeing is bound to work up your appetite, and there are plenty of great places around the city to grab a bite, from the casually excellent Mexican-inspired cuisine at El Barrio to the Parisian elegance of Bar la Fête. When the workweek has been a fistful of Mondays, stop by Bandit Pâtisserie to get a little of your stolen time back. Their honey lavender choux au craquelin is heaven in cream puff form but bring a dozen of their apple-cinnamon pop tarts to the office and you’ll be back on every colleague’s nice list.
Outdoor Adventures
Birmingham is basically the first stop on the Appalachian Trail, and even though the peaks here don’t get higher than 2,407 ft., you won’t find any Birmingham residents complaining that there’s nothing to do outside. This is truly some of the most gorgeous terrain in the country, so lace up those hiking shoes, grab a paddle, and start exploring!
Cheaha Mountain holds the honor of being the highest point in the state, and it’s well worth the 90-minute drive to reach this state park, where hiking and mountain biking are popular. In the fall, you won’t find a more spectacular view of the changing leaves blanketing the central Alabama mountainsides. Book a stay in one of their charming stone cabins, which were built in the 1930s, and spend the weekend adventuring on the trails.
Closer to the city, Oak Mountain State Park has enough amenities to keep your family entertained for a solid month, if you ever need to be off the grid for that long. There are fishing ponds and riding trails, swimming beaches and an inflatable, aquatic obstacle course. There’s even a BMX track. Two of the biggest draws to the park are Peavine Falls, a gorgeous water feature with a chilly wading pool below, and the Alabama Wildlife Center (AWC). The AWC is the oldest facility of its kind in the U.S., and the staff here have treated over 100 species of birds, from eagles to songbirds, helping them recover from injuries and return to the wild.
Several hiking spots in the area are managed by private groups, rather than state parks, including Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain and the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Thankfully, all residents of Birmingham can experience these great places for free (and the fees aren’t too bad for visitors, either). Turkey Creek has terrific swimming holes, Ruffner Mountain has a nature center with snakes, tortoises and owls, and Red Mountain — just moments from downtown BHAM — has three amazing treehouses to visit and 16 miles of wooded trails.
Tips for a Smooth Relation to Birmingham
Find a Trustworthy Mover
Whether you’re moving cross-country or across the street, you don’t want to entrust this major step in life to just anyone. If you want to ensure your move to Birmingham, Alabama, is a seamless experience, follow these tips to hire a good mover.
Mayflower is the Nation’s Most Trusted Mover. For almost 100 years, we’ve helped families like yours move to destinations across the United States.
Get a moving quote now for Birmingham, Alabama.
Consider Moving Full Service
Looking for ways to reduce the stress of moving? Consider Mayflower’s full-service moving packages. Our long-distance movers are licensed for interstate moves, and our nationwide network of professional movers can make your cross-country move easier. Our customizable moving packages can include packing and unpacking services, storage, debris removal, car shipping and more.
Moving within Birmingham or the state of Alabama? Our interstate Birmingham movers can help you with local moving services under their own businesses and brands.
Get Moving Tips and Resources From the Experts
Mayflower’s team of experts has pro tips to keep your move on track, whether you’re moving with us or on your own.
Our moving checklist and planner will give you a step-by-step preview of your move, week by week. Even after you arrive, it’s good to have a plan to help your family settle in. Our digital guide, Welcome HOME magazine, will give you essential tips on how to make moving easier.
Still considering other cities? Look through our state guides and city guides to find out more about popular places to live in the U.S.
Don’t delay! Now’s the best time to start planning for other parts of your move, from getting important documents to finding schools for your kids.
Other Moving Tips and Guides
- Loading...