Austin, TX vs Birmingham, AL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Birmingham
75
#508 nationally
Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $38,838). Austin leads in school rating (7.2 vs 4.2). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 75 (#508) |
| Population | 967,862 | 196,644 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $137,168 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $38,838 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 23.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 4.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 84 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+10.4 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
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