Huntsville AL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 107,699 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 49.6% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 5.2% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $48,536 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $31,324 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 23.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 38.1% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Tuscaloosa
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.6% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 21.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.7% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.0°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 55.0 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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