Huntsville AL vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 186,419 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 58.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 29.7% | 7.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $42,371 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 16.2% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $468,328 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.6% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 71.3°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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