Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 218,814 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 11.7% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 29.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $288,707 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Huntsville
1734
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 54.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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