Huntsville AL vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 92,577 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 58.4% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 29.7% | 11.1% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $662,209 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 29.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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