Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Florence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
27% higher than Florence's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Florence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,522 | $1,195 | +27% |
| Groceries | $701 | $550 | +27% |
| Utilities | $337 | $344 | -2% |
| Transport | $349 | $323 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $137 | $126 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,046 | $2,538 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $52,000 in Florence.
| Metric | Huntsville | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $41,838 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,407 idx |
| Household Income | $74,714 | $52,174 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Huntsville | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Florence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Florence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Florence.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 234,859 | 43,097 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.70% | 1.21% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is 16.8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with the median home price at $235,000 in May 2026, which is 49% lower than the national average.
Florence experienced a strong employment growth rate of 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time is relatively short at 18.7 minutes.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and access to outdoor activities along the Tennessee River.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Florence is 25% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 75% higher.
Florence has a low Walk Score of 32, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Public transit options are limited, contributing to the city's car-dependent nature.
A significant portion of major roads and highways in the Florence area are in poor or mediocre condition.
The unemployment rate for Florence specifically was not readily available in recent data.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Huntsville
#9Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
Florence
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,195
Avg Salary
$41,838
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.21%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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