Huntsville AL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 75,721 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 58.4% | 48.7% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 2.2% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 6.8% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $765,686 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.4 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Huntsville, AL vs New York, NYHuntsville, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntsville, ALHouston, TX vs Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL vs Phoenix, AZHuntsville, AL vs Philadelphia, PA