Huntsville AL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 149,519 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.6 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 58.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $39,604 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $422,520 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 32.8 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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