Huntsville AL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 98,677 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 29.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $52,671 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $34,792 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 19.7% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.9% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.9% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.7% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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