Huntsville AL vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 58.4% | 44.0% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $64,017 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $37,433 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 17.3% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 32.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $310,519 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.7% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.4 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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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