Huntsville AL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 146,211 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.9% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 27.6% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $45,845 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $27,570 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 29.6% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.3% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.5% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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