Huntsville, Alabama
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Huntsville.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Huntsville?
Huntsville, AL has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 83 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $263,100 and median rent about $1,078, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $70,778. Typical commute is 21 minutes; summer highs average 91°F. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 83U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $263,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,078U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $70,778U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 21 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 91°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Huntsville compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 230,402City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $70,778Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 83ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $263,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,078City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 21 min16% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 2838% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 91°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 35°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 54.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals65% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Huntsville grew 27.3% from 180,941 in 2010 to 230,402 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Huntsville expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Huntsville runs 17 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 83 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $263,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,078 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Huntsville?
Budget first around $1,078/month rent or $263,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $263,100
- Median rent $1,078/month
- Median household income $70,778
What is the job market like in Huntsville?
Labor-market context for Huntsville: unemployment 3.2% and median income $70,778. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $70,778
How long is the typical commute in Huntsville?
Plan on roughly 21 minutes each way in Huntsville. Walk Score estimates around 28 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 21 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 28/100
Is Huntsville safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Huntsville?
Huntsville's climate profile: 91°F summer peaks, 35°F winter mornings, 54.3" annual rainfall, and 247 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 91°F
- Winter low 35°F
- 54.3 in rain · 247 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Huntsville, Alabama will find roughly 230,402 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $70,778, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 83 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,078 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Huntsville is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Huntsville with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Gulf Coast humidity and inland pine hills shape day-to-day living here. With about 54.3 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Plan on roughly 21 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 28. Unemployment recently ran near 3.2%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Official FBI agency crime rates were not published for this place in the latest pull, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level research task.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Huntsville city, 1600000US0137000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Madison County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003856 HUNTSVILLE INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10