Median rent is 9% lower in Huntsville ($981/mo vs $1,078/mo). Buying is cheaper in Huntsville, where the median home runs $225,800 versus $263,100. Households earn more in Huntsville ($70,778 vs $45,401 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (88.3).
City A
Huntsville, AL
City B
Huntsville, TX
How much would you need to earn in Huntsville, TX to maintain your standard of living from Huntsville, AL?
Equivalent salary in Huntsville, TX
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Huntsville
Alabama
Huntsville
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Huntsville at $981/mo compared to $1,078/mo in Huntsville (9% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $263,100 in Huntsville and $225,800 in Huntsville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Alabama tops out at 5.00% — giving Huntsville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Alabama and 6.25% in Texas; Huntsville has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Huntsville
Income tax: 5.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Huntsville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Huntsville (avg AQI 52.0) but not yet for Huntsville.
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,778/yr).
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Huntsville cheaper than Huntsville?
Huntsville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.3 versus 88.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Huntsville.
How much is rent in Huntsville vs Huntsville?
Median rent is $1,078/mo in Huntsville, AL and $981/mo in Huntsville, TX. Huntsville, TX has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Huntsville or Huntsville?
Median household income is $70,778 in Huntsville, AL and $45,401 in Huntsville, TX. Huntsville, AL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Huntsville or Huntsville?
Texas has no state income tax. Alabama has a top rate of 5.00%.
What salary do I need in Huntsville to match my Huntsville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Huntsville, AL is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Huntsville, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology