Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 218,814 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.4 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 22.9% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 8.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $288,707 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.7% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 54.3 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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