Birmingham AL vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 100,905 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 25.6% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 67.1% | 12.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 23.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $584,482 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 33.8 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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