Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 218,814 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 60.0% | 29.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $51,690 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $288,707 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Huntsville
1734
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1734 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 62.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 54.3 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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