Huntsville AL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 29.7% | 14.4% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $67,631 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $42,272 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $52,606 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 15.7% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $332,727 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.6% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.5 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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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