Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Huntsville, AL
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 Huntsville leads 15 of 23 categories
Huntsville
Alabama
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,874 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
215,025 ✓ Larger
West Palm Beach
Florida
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,044
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High
Population
117,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Huntsville, AL
Pros
Rent averages $594/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,614)
Homes cost $89k less ($236,300 vs $324,800)
16% less violent crime than West Palm Beach
17% cheaper overall cost of living than West Palm Beach
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.6%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (483.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 50°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $324,800
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Huntsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Huntsville
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 94.8 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Huntsville
Median Income
$3,830
$67,874 vs $64,044/yr
Huntsville
Violent Crime
16% lower
483.2 vs 575.8 per 100k
Huntsville
Median Home Value
$89k less
$236,300 vs $324,800
Huntsville
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.8 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $236,300 ✓ Lower | $324,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,874 ✓ Higher | $64,044 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.4% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 114⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.8:1 | 16.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.8% ✓ Higher | 37.5% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Huntsville City | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.3°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.2" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 215,025 ✓ Larger | 117,588 |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% ✓ Higher | 49.8% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 16.2% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Huntsville's cost of living index is 94.8 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Huntsville is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Huntsville leads 15 of 23 categories. Huntsville wins 15 and West Palm Beach 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 Huntsville to West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($236,300 vs $324,800 median home), income ($67,874 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Huntsville, AL and West Palm Beach, FL are about 673 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.