Birmingham, AL vs Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
58
#1956 nationally
Palmdale leads in median household income ($78,414 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 41.3 min). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 130).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Palmdale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 58 (#1956) |
| Population | 196,644 | 161,404 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $503,499 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $78,414 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 41.3 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 24 |
| Crime Level | High | 15.1 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 130 |
| 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 →
F
58 Score
Palmdale, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$503,499
Population
161,404
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Pacific
View Palmdale, CA →
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