Birmingham, AL vs Plainview, TX
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
Plainview
80.8
#64 nationally
Plainview leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 23.8 min). Plainview leads in median household income ($46,274 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in walk score (36 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plainview, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 80.8 (#64) |
| Population | 196,644 | 19,420 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $120,278 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $46,274 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 31 |
| Crime Level | High | 10.1 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 85 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+58.0 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
B-
80.8 Score
Plainview, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$120,278
Population
19,420
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
31
Southwest
View Plainview, TX →