Huntsville AL vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 194,338 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.1 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 29.7% | 3.4% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 35.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $488,428 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.3% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 31.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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