Huntsville AL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 209,720 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 58.4% | 41.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $46,628 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $30,451 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 26.6% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.9% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 37.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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