Huntsville AL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.4% | 58.2% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $54,546 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $31,152 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $324,946 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 69.8°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.9 min | Huntsville + |
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, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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