Huntsville AL vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.7 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 23.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Louisville
$52,606
Louisville +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $64,731 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $38,890 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $52,606 | Louisville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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 Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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