Huntsville AL vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 57,088 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.7 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 29.7% | 6.1% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $41,024 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 32.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $1,274,801 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Kirkland 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 Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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