Huntsville AL vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 29.7% | 10.5% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $496,966 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 56.5% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 31.1 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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