Huntsville AL vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 153,455 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 58.4% | 30.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 1.5% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $2,144,024 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 43.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.3 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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