Apex, NC vs Birmingham, AL
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.
Apex
70.6
#1082 nationally
Birmingham
75
#508 nationally
Apex leads in median household income ($129,688 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 122). Birmingham leads in walk score (36 vs 26).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Apex, NC | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1082) | 75 (#508) |
| Population | 72,225 | 196,644 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $601,962 | $137,168 |
| Median Household Income | $129,688 | $38,838 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 23.8 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 4.7 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 84 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+10.4 |
C-
70.6 Score
Apex, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$601,962
Population
72,225
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
26
Southeast
View Apex, NC →
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →