Huntsville AL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 58.4% | 36.1% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $60,698 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $37,669 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 22.0% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 34.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.3% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 34.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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