Huntsville AL vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 156,309 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 58.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 29.7% | 1.4% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 45.3% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $575,076 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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