Birmingham, AL vs Madera, 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
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Madera leads in median household income ($61,626 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 119). Birmingham leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 196,644 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 42 |
| Crime Level | High | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+20.8 |
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
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →