Huntsville AL vs Jackson MS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 149,827 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 1.5% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 14.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 0.3% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 2.2% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Huntsville +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $43,238 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $26,868 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $46,995 | Huntsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 9.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 26.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.6% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1808 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 46.0% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 64.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 54.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.9 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. 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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