Birmingham, AL vs Kirkland, WA
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
Kirkland
68
#1358 nationally
Kirkland leads in median household income ($135,608 vs $38,838). Birmingham leads in cost of living index (84 vs 179). Kirkland leads in walk score (51 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 68 (#1358) |
| Population | 196,644 | 91,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $1,212,741 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $135,608 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 25.5 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 51 |
| Crime Level | High | 1.7 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 179 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+51.7 |
C
75 Score
Birmingham, AL
Magic City reinventing itself
Median Home
$137,168
Population
196,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Southeast
View Birmingham, AL →
D+
68 Score
Kirkland, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,212,741
Population
91,194
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Kirkland, WA →
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