Huntsville AL vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 58.4% | 48.7% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $57,673 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,074 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 17.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 37.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $419,326 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 54.6% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 63.8°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 58.4 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.2 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 398 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 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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