Birmingham AL vs Burlington VT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 44,649 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| White | 25.6% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 67.1% | 3.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.3% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $510,361 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 39.8% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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