Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 218,814 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 6.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 8.1% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.7% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 54.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
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 442 in Dallas. 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, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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