Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 6.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 36.1% | 29.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.0% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 8.1% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $51,690 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $288,707 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Huntsville
1734
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 400 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1734 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.7% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 62.1°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 54.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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