Birmingham AL vs Springfield 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 154,751 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 25.6% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 67.1% | 20.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $27,054 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 25.3% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 19.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $298,985 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.1% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.7% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.5% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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