Huntsville AL vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.2% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 6.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $33,716 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 25.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $648,603 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 56.3% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 66.8°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 34.1 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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