Birmingham, AL vs Carson, CA
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
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 154). Carson leads in walk score (55 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Carson, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 63.8 (#1737) |
| Population | 196,644 | 91,139 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $796,912 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $103,045 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 55 |
| Crime Level | High | 11.5 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+32.9 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →