City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
The cost gap between Sacramento and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 34% cheaper on typical rent ($1,779 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $7,296. Median household income runs $87,321 in Sacramento and $74,714 in Huntsville.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Huntsville costs less and Sacramento 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
Sacramento and Huntsville are 1,941 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $608 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $12,607 (14%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 134 in Huntsville, down 47 points (26%).
The move
Huntsville and Sacramento are 1,941 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $608 a month (52%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $12,607 (17%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 181 in Sacramento, up 47 points (35%).
Sacramento, 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 Sacramento and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 34% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Huntsville is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $608/month back in your pocket ($7,296/year). Over five years that's $36,480 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 Sacramento, 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
17% higher
Sacramento's median income is 17% higher than Huntsville
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Sacramento (about $12,607 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, Sacramento 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
26% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 26% lower than Sacramento
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 181 in Sacramento (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% 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. Sacramento can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Sacramento
Winner66°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Sacramento averages about 66°F (77°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Sacramento sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Sacramento 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 17% higher ($87,321), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°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 34% 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 26% lower than Sacramento (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
Sacramento runs $1,779/month while Huntsville sits at $1,171 — roughly 34% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Sacramento-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Sacramento's $1,779, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $74,714 in Huntsville.
Huntsville is the default on housing cost at $1,171/month versus $1,779 in Sacramento; Sacramento stays in play when $87,321 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $608 lease gap.
Common questions
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