Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 46.7% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 8.1% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $288,707 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 54.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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