City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 158 in Los Angeles, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 202, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles.
The cost gap between Los Angeles and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 39% cheaper on typical rent ($1,933 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $9,144. Median household income runs $81,939 in Los Angeles and $74,714 in Huntsville.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Huntsville costs less and Los Angeles 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
Los Angeles and Huntsville are 1,798 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,933 a month in Los Angeles to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $762 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $81,939 in Los Angeles to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $7,225 (9%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Los Angeles to 134 in Huntsville, down 24 points (15%).
The move
Huntsville and Los Angeles are 1,798 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,933 a month in Los Angeles, up $762 a month (65%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $81,939 in Los Angeles, up $7,225 (10%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 158 in Los Angeles, up 24 points (18%).
Los Angeles, CA
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 Los Angeles and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 39% cheaper than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$1,933/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, so Huntsville is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $762/month back in your pocket ($9,144/year). Over five years that's $45,720 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 Los Angeles, 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
10% higher
Los Angeles's median income is 10% higher than Huntsville
Los Angeles
Winner$81,939
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Los Angeles (about $7,225 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
15% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 15% lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
158 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 158 in Los Angeles (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Huntsville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Huntsville, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Los Angeles. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Los Angeles weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Los Angeles
Winner77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Los Angeles averages about 77°F (83°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Los Angeles sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Los Angeles 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 10% higher ($81,939), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°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 39% 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 15% lower than Los Angeles (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,171/month in Huntsville versus $1,933 in Los Angeles. Median income reads $74,714 in Huntsville and $81,939 in Los Angeles, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Los Angeles's $1,933, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 46/100 in Los Angeles and 51/100 in Huntsville.
If housing cost drives your move, Huntsville is the stronger match ($1,171/month rent against $1,933). If an employer or family tie already points to Los Angeles, treat $1,933/month rent and $81,939 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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