Updated Jan 27, 2026
KEY STATS
1.2M
Population
268 km2
Area
328 Mbps
Internet
UTC±00:00
Timezone
BHX (11km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Birmingham's canal-lined industrial revival buzzes with multicultural markets and Balti houses, energizing nomads in England's temperate, rainy climate. Gigabit internet and hubs like The Custard Factory fuel creative projects, with Digbeth's street art and Bullring shopping as handy diversions. The city's reinvented grit offers a dynamic, unpretentious base.
QUICK FACTS
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Infrastructure
60,275 points of interest mapped in Birmingham — 225 per km2
Tech
328 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
Economy
31% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
History
Founded around 601 — over 1,425 years of history
Connections
Birmingham has 10 sister cities worldwide
INFRASTRUCTURE
60,275 total POIs 225.1 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
872
Cafes
615
Bars
763
Fast Food
1,598
Shopping
Supermarkets
301
Convenience
859
Shopping Malls
28
Healthcare
Hospitals
57
Clinics
451
Pharmacies
319
Education
Schools
927
Universities
78
Libraries
79
Recreation
Parks
35,465
Playgrounds
620
Sports
406
Cinemas
15
Museums
28
Theatres
21
Transport
Bus Stops
7,360
Train Stations
116
Fuel Stations
194
Services
Banks
180
ATMs
327
Post Offices
177
Police
37
Fire Stations
21
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
328 Mbps
Download
145 Mbps
Upload
15ms
Latency
168,472
Tests
41,875
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
6°
J
7°
F
8°
M
11°
A
13°
M
15°
J
16°
J
15°
A
13°
S
11°
O
8°
N
7°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 10.7 C Range: 5.9 - 15.5 C Rain: 972 mm/year Sunshine: 2,255 h/year
CITY SCORES
82.9
Nomad Index
C
Livability
53.6
Culture
57.8
Overall
COST OF LIVING
BIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
68.6
Overall
31% cheaper than NYC
30.8
Rent
69% cheaper than NYC
64.7
Groceries
35% cheaper than NYC
69.7
Restaurants
30% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
BHX
Birmingham Airport
11 km from center
Very close — ~17 min ride
FUN FACTS
It is the largest local authority district in England by population and the second-largest city in Britain – commonly referred to as the second city of the United Kingdom – with a population of 1.2 million people in the city proper in 2024.
Birmingham's urban area has a population of 2.7 million and its wider metropolitan area has a population of 4.3 million.
It is just west of the traditional centre point of England at Meriden, and is the most inland major city in the country, lying north of the Cotswolds and east of the Shropshire Hills.
Distinctively, Birmingham only has small rivers flowing through it, mainly the River Tame and its tributaries River Rea and River Cole – one of the closest main rivers is the Severn, approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of the city centre.
By 1791, it was being hailed as "the first manufacturing town in the world".
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Birmingham known for?
Birmingham's canal-lined industrial revival buzzes with multicultural markets and Balti houses, energizing nomads in England's temperate, rainy climate. Gigabit internet and hubs like The Custard Factory fuel creative projects, with Digbeth's street art and Bullring shopping as handy diversions. The city's reinvented grit offers a dynamic, unpretentious base.
How fast is the internet in Birmingham?
Birmingham has an average download speed of 328 Mbps and upload speed of 145 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Birmingham?
Birmingham has an average year-round temperature of approximately 10.7 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Birmingham?
Birmingham is served by BHX (Birmingham Airport), approximately 11 km from the city center.
What is the population of Birmingham?
The population of Birmingham is approximately 1.2M.
What infrastructure does Birmingham have?
Birmingham has 60,275 mapped points of interest, including 872 restaurants, 57 hospitals, 927 schools.
What country is Birmingham in?
Birmingham is located in England.