Birmingham AL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 25.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 67.1% | 14.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $52,606 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $332,727 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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