Birmingham, AL vs Merced, 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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 121). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 196,644 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 42 |
| Crime Level | High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+4.4 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
D
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →