Birmingham, AL vs Cary, NC
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
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 125). Birmingham leads in walk score (36 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 196,644 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 28 |
| Crime Level | High | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+25.6 |
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-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →