Huntsville AL vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 84,389 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 58.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 29.7% | 2.3% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,662 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 13.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 27.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $657,911 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.2% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
Compare More Cities
Huntsville, AL vs New York, NYHuntsville, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntsville, ALHouston, TX vs Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL vs Phoenix, AZHuntsville, AL vs Philadelphia, PA