Birmingham, AL vs Waco, 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
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 23.8 min). Waco leads in median household income ($47,421 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 93).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 196,644 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 35 |
| Crime Level | High | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | R+30.9 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →