Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 218,814 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 6.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.0% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $288,707 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 54.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA