Birmingham, AL vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Lancaster leads in median household income ($71,367 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 126). Birmingham leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 30.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 196,644 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 29 |
| Crime Level | High | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 126 |
| 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-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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