Birmingham, AL vs Plainfield, IL
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
Plainfield
74.9
#535 nationally
Plainfield leads in median household income ($143,064 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in walk score (36 vs 20). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 124).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plainfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 74.9 (#535) |
| Population | 196,644 | 47,448 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $432,279 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $143,064 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 33.9 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 20 |
| Crime Level | High | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 124 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+1.6 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
C
74.9 Score
Plainfield, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,279
Population
47,448
Crime
Low
Walk Score
20
Midwest
View Plainfield, IL →
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