Why do you think Birmingham is so far behind?

[Jarrod Cook]

how do we bring it back?

http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/morning_call...  

[Will Johnston]

We can't really make any determinations without more info.

Birmingham has the lowest total amount paid in rent, but that could be because it's smaller; it has a higher ratio of owners to renters; it has bigger families (and thus fewer households paying rent); on average rental units are smaller in Birmingham than elsewhere; on average rental units are nicer elsewhere; and probably a dozen other things besides lower rents on equivalent units.