Median rent is 19% lower in Huntsville ($1,171/mo vs $1,438/mo). Buying is cheaper in Huntsville, where the median home runs $293,600 versus $472,300. Households earn more in Orem ($83,342 vs $74,714 a year). Taken together, Huntsville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.1 against 88.6 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Orem, UT.
Cost of living verdict
Huntsville is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 88.1 in Huntsville vs 88.6 in Orem (US national average = 100)
City A
Huntsville, AL
City B
Orem, UT
How much would you need to earn in Orem, UT to maintain your standard of living from Huntsville, AL?
Equivalent salary in Orem, UT
$75,413
You'd need $413 more (1% 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
Orem
Utah
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Huntsville at $1,171/mo compared to $1,438/mo in Orem (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Orem: the median home is $472,300 versus $293,600 in Huntsville — 38% more expensive.
Metric
Huntsville
Orem
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
Orem
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Huntsville (avg AQI 28.0) but not yet for Orem.
Pick Orem if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,342/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 88.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Huntsville.
Median rent is $1,171/mo in Huntsville, AL and $1,438/mo in Orem, UT. Huntsville, AL has the lower rent by about 19%.
Median household income is $74,714 in Huntsville, AL and $83,342 in Orem, UT. Orem, UT has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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 $100,550 in Orem, UT (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
