Birmingham AL vs Bridgeport CT — 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%
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
148,012
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
22.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 148,012 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 25.6% | 34.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 67.1% | 22.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $56,584 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,658 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.9% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 22.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 23.1% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
$361,669
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $361,669 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 43.3% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 21.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | 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
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 31.6 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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