Huntsville AL vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 82,506 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 48.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 58.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 29.7% | 8.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $60,465 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $36,322 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 26.8% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $312,001 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 72.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 54.8 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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