Huntsville AL vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 169,432 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.8% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 5.6% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $45,984 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $30,864 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 19.4% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.3% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 42.9% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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