What it's like to live in Huntsville
Huntsville is a large city in Alabama with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, unemployment below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Huntsville deals with crime rates above the national average, hot summers, above-average rainfall, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Growing population
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Huntsville compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Huntsville
Based on Huntsville's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,342
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $46,840 a year
- 43% of Huntsville renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$58,720
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $29,360
- Homes cost 3.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 17% below US
$1,171/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,171 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $293,600. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $293,600 · 43% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 42% below US
2.5% unemployment
Unemployment here is 2.5%, well below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 21% above US
399 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 2297/100k · Huntsville Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 24% below US
20 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 15% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 91°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 35°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
3 hospitals
There are 3 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.0 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 31% above US
47% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 47% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
46 public schools inside the boundary
There are 46 public schools inside the boundary and 23 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Russell Cave National Monument (51 miles away). There are 6 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Huntsville's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and hot summers. A year of median rent ($1,171/mo) equals 19% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, job seekers, and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Huntsville
All Alabama guides →Not sure Huntsville is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.