Birmingham AL vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 115,415 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 25.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $441,257 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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