Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Huntsville, AL
🏆 Arvada leads 14 of 22 categories
Arvada
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Huntsville
Alabama
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,874
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High
Population
215,025 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $38,140 more per year on average
41% less violent crime than Huntsville
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.8%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
Pros
Homes cost $317k less ($236,300 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $686/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.8)
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $38,140/yr
Violent crime (483.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (4.6% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$38,140
$106,014 vs $67,874/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
41% lower
285.6 vs 483.2 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.6% unemployment
Huntsville
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 94.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Huntsville
Median Home Value
$317k less
$236,300 vs $553,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 94.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $236,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $67,874 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 122⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 45.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Huntsville City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 50.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 2.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 215,025 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 36.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 57.5% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Huntsville's 94.8 (US average = 100).
Huntsville is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Arvada leads 14 of 22 categories. Arvada wins 14 and Huntsville wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Huntsville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $236,300 median home), income ($106,014 vs $67,874), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Huntsville, AL are about 1,079 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.