Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Huntsville, AL
🏆 Huntsville leads 15 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Huntsville
Alabama
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,874 ✓ Higher
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.
Eugene, OR
Pros
34% less violent crime than Huntsville
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 4.6%)
Median income trails Huntsville by $6,393/yr
Huntsville, AL
Pros
Homes cost $170k less ($236,300 vs $406,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.6%)
Rent averages $249/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,269)
Households earn $6,393 more per year on average
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.8)
Cons
Violent crime (483.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Violent Crime
34% lower
317.9 vs 483.2 per 100k
Huntsville
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Huntsville
Median Income
$6,393
$67,874 vs $61,481/yr
Huntsville
Median Home Value
$170k less
$236,300 vs $406,000
Huntsville
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Huntsville
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 94.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $236,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $67,874 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 19.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 122⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% | 45.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Huntsville City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 50.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 2.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 215,025 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Huntsville's 94.8 (US average = 100).
Huntsville is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Huntsville leads 15 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 8 and Huntsville wins 15. 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 Eugene to Huntsville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $236,300 median home), income ($61,481 vs $67,874), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Huntsville, AL are about 2,036 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.