Huntsville AL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 58.4% | 43.2% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $62,671 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $44,249 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 44.1% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $374,265 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 43.5% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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