Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 218,814 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.4 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 28.4% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Huntsville
$70,778
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Huntsville
$44,733
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $70,778 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,733 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Huntsville
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 54.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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