City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The cost gap between Austin and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 32% cheaper on typical rent ($1,729 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $6,696. Median household income runs $93,658 in Austin and $74,714 in Huntsville.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Huntsville costs less and Austin pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Huntsville are 719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $558 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $18,944 (20%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 134 in Huntsville, down 28 points (17%).
The move
Huntsville and Austin are 719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $558 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $93,658 in Austin, up $18,944 (25%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 162 in Austin, up 28 points (21%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 32% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,729 in Austin, so Huntsville is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $558/month back in your pocket ($6,696/year). Over five years that's $33,480 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Huntsville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Austin's median income is 25% higher than Huntsville
Austin
Winner$93,658
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Austin (about $18,944 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Huntsville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
17% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 17% lower than Austin
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Huntsville. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Huntsville is the easier city. Austin can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Austin weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Austin
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Austin scores 6% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 25% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Huntsville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Austin (134 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Huntsville at $1,171/month versus $1,729 in Austin ($558 apart). Austin median income is $93,658 against $74,714 in Huntsville, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 45/100 in Austin and 51/100 in Huntsville.
If housing cost drives your move, Huntsville is the stronger match ($1,171/month rent against $1,729). If an employer or family tie already points to Austin, treat $1,729/month rent and $93,658 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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