City comparison
Yes. San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
The cost gap between San Diego and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 49% cheaper on typical rent ($2,313 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $13,704. Median household income runs $108,077 in San Diego and $74,714 in Huntsville.
San Diego is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone San Diego 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
San Diego and Huntsville are 1,756 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $1,142 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $33,363 (31%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 134 in Huntsville, up 28 points (26%).
The move
Huntsville and San Diego are 1,756 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $1,142 a month (98%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $108,077 in San Diego, up $33,363 (45%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 106 in San Diego, down 28 points (21%).
San Diego, 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 San Diego and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
49% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 49% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Huntsville is 49% cheaper. That's roughly $1,142/month back in your pocket ($13,704/year). Over five years that's $68,520 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
45% higher
San Diego's median income is 45% higher than Huntsville
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 45% higher in San Diego (about $33,363 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, San Diego 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
21% lower crime
San Diego's crime index is 21% lower than Huntsville
San Diego
Winner106 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in San Diego. 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, San Diego is the easier city. Huntsville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
San Diego weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
San Diego
Winner74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. San Diego 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 45% higher ($108,077), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Diego is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Huntsville (106 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 49% 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.
Bottom line
San Diego runs $2,313/month while Huntsville sits at $1,171 — roughly 49% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Diego-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below San Diego's $2,313, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in San Diego and 51/100 in Huntsville.
Huntsville is the default on housing cost at $1,171/month versus $2,313 in San Diego; San Diego stays in play when $108,077 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,142 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Diego and Huntsville, plus other cities in CA and AL.
