Birmingham AL vs Hartford 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 119,970 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 25.6% | 26.4% | Hartford + |
| Black | 67.1% | 36.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Hartford
$45,300
Hartford +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Birmingham +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $45,300 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $27,319 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 10.6% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 25.5% | Birmingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 18.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $199,359 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 25.8% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 20.3% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hartford leads in median household income at $45,300, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Hartford 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 Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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