Huntsville AL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 71,124 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 58.4% | 32.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $55,269 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $38,786 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 23.2% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.1% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $327,117 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.0% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1991 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.0% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | 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
Huntsville +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.0 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wilmington 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