Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.4 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 6.6% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 58.4% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 8.1% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Huntsville
$70,778
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Huntsville
$44,733
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Huntsville
46.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $70,778 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $44,733 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $51,690 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 46.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 40.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 62.1°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 54.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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