Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 25.6% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 29.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Huntsville
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $288,707 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Huntsville
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Huntsville
1734
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 54.3 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. 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, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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