Huntsville AL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 58.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 29.7% | 18.9% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $427,121 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.7% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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