Ann Arbor MI vs Birmingham AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
67.1%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 199,322 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 25.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 67.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $44,376 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,616 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Ann Arbor + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 25.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
1734
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 42.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 19.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 11.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.6% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 63.3°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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