Huntsville AL vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Little Rock
36.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 202,739 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 58.4% | 46.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $60,583 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $43,242 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,714 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 44.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 54.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 660 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2507 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.3% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 62.7°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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