Birmingham AL vs Lansing 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 112,546 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 25.6% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 67.1% | 23.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $29,894 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 29.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $166,132 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.8% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, 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
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while 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 Lansing. 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, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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