Huntsville AL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 58.4% | 16.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $48,416 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $25,509 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 10.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 24.7% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $482,675 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 24.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 23.4% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.2% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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