Huntsville AL vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 29.7% | 22.5% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 4.2% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $64,137 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $43,590 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 19.5% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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