Huntsville AL vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.6 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.7% | 5.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $538,687 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 78.3 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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