Huntsville AL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.8% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 27.5% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $435,807 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.1 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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