Austin TX vs Huntsville AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 218,814 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 58.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.0% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Huntsville
$70,778
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Huntsville
$44,733
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Huntsville
13.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Huntsville
46.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $70,778 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,733 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 13.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 46.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.7% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 54.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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