Huntsville AL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 203,888 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 29.7% | 2.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $580,126 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.2% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.3 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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