Huntsville AL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 84,155 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 29.7% | 22.6% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 5.0% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $62,216 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $33,816 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 21.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | 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
Huntsville +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 27.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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