salaryHuntsville is the largest city in Alabama that we track, with 222,791 residents. Rent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,560 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 79 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Huntsville with other big cities
Compare Huntsville to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Huntsville?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Huntsville
| Size | Huntsville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $949 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,063 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,207 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,437 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,793 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Huntsville overall?
Everyday prices in the Huntsville metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Huntsville
Life in Huntsville
What jobs pay in Huntsville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,840 | 12.0% |
| Operations Manager | $136,340 | 12.0% |
| Lawyer | $133,220 | 12.3% |
| Software Developer | $128,080 | 12.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,350 | 15.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $107,230 | 15.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $105,760 | 15.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $103,900 | 15.8% |
| Accountant | $79,220 | 20.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,090 | 21.2% |
| Police Officer | $64,550 | 25.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $62,370 | 26.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,250 | 26.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,860 | 27.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $59,230 | 27.6% |
| Electrician | $58,500 | 28.0% |
| Plumber | $57,020 | 28.7% |
| Truck Driver | $56,690 | 28.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,940 | 32.8% |
| Carpenter | $48,970 | 33.4% |
| Firefighter | $48,010 | 34.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,500 | 41.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,400 | 42.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,920 | 44.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,520 | 46.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,210 | 46.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,120 | 49.4% |
| Cashier | $29,860 | 54.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,990 | 58.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Huntsville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $673 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $293,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Huntsville, AL?
Renting in Huntsville costs a median of about $1,364 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Huntsville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,560 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Huntsville cheap or expensive?
Huntsville is rated OK: rent takes 20.3% of the typical household income of $80,579. It ranks 79th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Huntsville?
The median homeowner in Huntsville pays $1,345 a year in property taxes, about 0.46% of the median home value.
Is Huntsville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Huntsville?
The median home value in Huntsville is $293,600, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
222,791 people live in Huntsville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.