Huntsville AL vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 29.7% | 3.2% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 35.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $570,934 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.4% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 460 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2417 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.9% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.3 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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