Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 6.6% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 58.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Huntsville
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Huntsville
46.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 46.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 62.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 54.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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