Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 218,814 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.6% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 38.7% | 29.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $288,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Huntsville
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 62.1°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 54.3 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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