Birmingham AL vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 79,526 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.7 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 25.6% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.7% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $514,358 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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