Birmingham, AL vs Cambridge, MA
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.
Birmingham
75
#508 nationally
Cambridge
70.6
#1085 nationally
Cambridge leads in median household income ($115,892 vs $38,838). Cambridge leads in walk score (87 vs 36). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 172).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 70.6 (#1085) |
| Population | 196,644 | 117,090 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $1,055,780 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $115,892 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 87 |
| Crime Level | High | Low |
| School Rating | 4.2 | 8.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 172 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+39.5 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
C-
70.6 Score
Cambridge, MA
Academic powerhouse across the Charles
Median Home
$1,055,780
Population
117,090
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Northeast
View Cambridge, MA →
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