Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
22% lower than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,522 | -22% |
| Groceries | $440 | $701 | -37% |
| Utilities | $275 | $337 | -18% |
| Transport | $120 | $349 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $137 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $3,046 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 10% lower 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 Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $64,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Birmingham.
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 | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Birmingham and Huntsville.
Open Cost Calculator