Birmingham AL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 84,155 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 25.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 67.1% | 22.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 21.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $215,089 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Westland
16.6%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.0% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | 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
Birmingham +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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