Birmingham AL vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Flint
2.9%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Flint
56.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 80,835 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 2.9% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 34.4% | Flint + |
| Black | 67.1% | 56.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.6% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.5% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Birmingham +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $36,194 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $20,799 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 17.4% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 34.4% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Birmingham +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 50.5% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 19.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 23.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 25.3% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham leads in median household income at $44,376, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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