Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 218,814 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.4 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 46.8% | 29.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.0% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.1% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $288,707 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 62.1°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 54.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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