Birmingham, AL vs Lafayette, LA
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
Lafayette
73.6
#705 nationally
Lafayette leads in median household income ($58,850 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 99). Lafayette leads in average commute (20.4 min vs 23.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 73.6 (#705) |
| Population | 196,644 | 121,467 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $227,080 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $58,850 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 20.4 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 42 |
| Crime Level | High | 29.2 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 99 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+31.4 |
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
73.6 Score
Lafayette, LA
Mid-size Louisiana city with community character
Median Home
$227,080
Population
121,467
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Southeast
View Lafayette, LA →
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