Median rent is 39% lower in Huntsville ($1,171/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Huntsville, where the median home runs $293,600 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $74,714 a year). Taken together, Huntsville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.1 against 114.7 — about 23% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Huntsville, AL.
Cost of living verdict
Huntsville is 23% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 88.1 in Huntsville vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Huntsville, AL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Huntsville, AL?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$97,679
You'd need $22,679 more (30% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Huntsville
Alabama
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Huntsville — median rent of $1,171/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 39% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $293,600 in Huntsville — 68% more expensive.
Metric
Huntsville
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Huntsville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Huntsville has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 88.1 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,171/mo median).
Huntsville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.1 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 23% lower in Huntsville.
Median rent is $1,171/mo in Huntsville, AL and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Huntsville, AL has the lower rent by about 39%.
Median household income is $74,714 in Huntsville, AL and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Huntsville, AL has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Huntsville, AL is equivalent to roughly $130,238 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
