Birmingham, AL vs Oak Lawn, IL
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
Oak Lawn
76
#400 nationally
Oak Lawn leads in median household income ($77,221 vs $38,838). Oak Lawn leads in walk score (58 vs 36). Birmingham leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 31.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Oak Lawn, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#508) | 76 (#400) |
| Population | 196,644 | 55,734 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $137,168 | $301,108 |
| Median Household Income | $38,838 | $77,221 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 31.8 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 58 |
| Crime Level | High | 4.9 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+42.0 |
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
76 Score
Oak Lawn, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$301,108
Population
55,734
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Midwest
View Oak Lawn, IL →
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