Birmingham, MI vs West Des Moines, IA
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
75.1
#499 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
Birmingham leads in crime level (1.5 vs 4.5). Birmingham leads in median household income ($151,556 vs $82,345). Birmingham leads in walk score (60 vs 34).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, MI | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.1 (#499) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 21,434 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $755,859 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $151,556 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 20.7 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 146 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.6 | D+10.9 |
C
75.1 Score
Birmingham, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$755,859
Population
21,434
Crime
Low
Walk Score
60
Midwest
View Birmingham, MI →
C+
77.1 Score
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$325,031
Population
72,205
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Des Moines, IA →
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