Huntsville AL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 176,666 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 29.7% | 1.6% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $36,477 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 14.7% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $438,754 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.4% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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