Huntsville AL vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 125,273 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.3 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 29.7% | 19.3% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $67,521 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $34,474 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 22.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $304,173 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.4% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.5% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 29.6 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, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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