Birmingham, AL vs Oakley, 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
Oakley
63.5
#1765 nationally
Oakley leads in median household income ($120,915 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 43.4 min). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 151).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oakley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 63.5 (#1765) |
| Population | 196,644 | 45,761 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $660,649 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $120,915 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 43.4 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 28 |
| Crime Level | High | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 151 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+38.0 |
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
63.5 Score
Oakley, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$660,649
Population
45,761
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Oakley, CA →