Performance
Score Breakdown
Tampa
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tampa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tampa's average rent is
18% higher than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Tampa | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,522 | +18% |
| Groceries | $552 | $701 | -21% |
| Utilities | $294 | $337 | -13% |
| Transport | $120 | $349 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $137 | +82% |
| Monthly Total | $3,016 | $3,046 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tampa offers similar 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 Tampa is estimated at
$70,000 vs $64,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Tampa | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,000 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $84,114 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tampa | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Huntsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tampa.
Tampa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tampa | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 31.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Huntsville.
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 | Tampa | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 419,635 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.47% | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above 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.
Tampa
#9Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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
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