Huntsville AL vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 58.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $527,542 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.6% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 28.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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