Huntsville AL vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 218,614 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.8% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $34,656 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 20.3% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $447,353 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.7% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.7°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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