City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The cost gap between Raleigh and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 26% cheaper on typical rent ($1,572 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $4,812. Median household income runs $85,395 in Raleigh and $74,714 in Huntsville.
Huntsville is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Raleigh makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Huntsville is the stronger move.
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
Raleigh and Huntsville are 454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $401 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $10,681 (13%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 134 in Huntsville, down 8 points (6%).
The move
Huntsville and Raleigh are 454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $401 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $10,681 (14%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 142 in Raleigh, up 8 points (6%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 26% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Huntsville is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $401/month back in your pocket ($4,812/year). Over five years that's $24,060 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 Raleigh, 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
14% higher
Raleigh's median income is 14% higher than Huntsville
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Raleigh (about $10,681 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, Raleigh 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
6% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 6% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% 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 Raleigh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Huntsville weather is 9% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Huntsville
Winner63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Huntsville scores 9% 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 Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 14% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% 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.
Pick Huntsville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (63°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 9%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Huntsville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Huntsville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Raleigh (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
Raleigh runs $1,572/month while Huntsville sits at $1,171 — roughly 26% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Raleigh-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Raleigh and 63°F in Huntsville.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Huntsville; Raleigh only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Raleigh at $85,395 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Huntsville, plus other cities in NC and AL.
