Huntsville AL vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Jacksonville
36.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.2% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $66,981 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $37,269 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 15.0% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.9% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.4% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.8% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 70.2°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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