Cost of Living Comparison for Huntsville, AL
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Huntsville's cost of living index is 90 — 10% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Huntsville Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Huntsville stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $270,000 | $420,800 | -35.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $750 | $1,713 | -56.2% |
| Median Household Income | $72,200 | $74,580 | -3.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.41% | 1.10% | -62.7% |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 100 | -10.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Huntsville Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 490,000
- Unemployment
- 2.8%
- Avg Commute
- 23 min
- Median Age
- 36.8
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 30.0x
- Annual Property Tax
- $1,107
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Alabama Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Huntsville
What is the median home price in Huntsville, AL?
The median home price in Huntsville is $270,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Huntsville?
Median monthly rent in Huntsville is $750. That works out to $9,000/year, or 12% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Huntsville affordable?
Huntsville's cost of living index is 90 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $72,200/year and a median home price of $270,000, the price-to-income ratio is 3.7x. Huntsville remains relatively affordable compared to many US metros.
What is the property tax rate in Huntsville?
The effective property tax rate in Huntsville is 0.41% of assessed value. On the median home of $270,000, that's roughly $1,107/year ($92/month).