El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 218,814 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 3.6% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 8.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Huntsville
58.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $288,707 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 54.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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