Huntsville AL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 199,696 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.7% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $55,931 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,704 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 23.2% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $293,664 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 39.5% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 67.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 58.1 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
Huntsville, AL vs New York, NYHuntsville, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntsville, ALHouston, TX vs Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL vs Phoenix, AZHuntsville, AL vs Philadelphia, PA