Huntsville AL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 121,537 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 29.7% | 28.6% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 7.6% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $61,454 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $39,861 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 19.1% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 67.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 61.0 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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