Huntsville AL vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 118,578 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.7% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 29.7% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.3% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $63,900 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 16.3% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 45.8% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.4% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.4% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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