Huntsville AL vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 115,415 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.9 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 58.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 29.7% | 5.3% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $44,220 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $441,257 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.3% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.7 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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