Huntsville AL vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 102,558 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 29.7% | 12.9% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $58,568 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $31,987 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 25.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.0% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.4°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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