Birmingham, AL vs Ithaca, NY
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
Ithaca leads in walk score (72 vs 36). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 117). Ithaca leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 23.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Ithaca, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,644 | 32,724 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $0 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $45,468 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 18.4 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 72 |
| Crime Level | High | 5.4 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 117 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+50.6 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
—
Score
Ithaca, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Population
32,724
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
72
Median Income
$45,468
Northeast
View Ithaca, NY →