Birmingham, AL vs Plano, 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
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Plano leads in median household income ($99,936 vs $38,838). Plano leads in school rating (8.5 vs 4.2). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 107).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 196,644 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 39 |
| Crime Level | High | Low |
| School Rating | 4.2 | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+11.2 |
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-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →