Birmingham AL vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lynchburg
4.6%
Lynchburg +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 79,255 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 4.6% | Lynchburg + |
| White | 25.6% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 67.1% | 27.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,004 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $264,994 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.4% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA