Birmingham AL vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 8,933 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 42.9 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 25.6% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 67.1% | 0.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.7% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $49,562 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 26.9% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $849,245 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.5°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.9 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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