Performance
Score Breakdown
Auburn
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Auburn is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Auburn's average rent is
34% higher than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Auburn | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,032 | $1,522 | +34% |
| Groceries | $350 | $701 | -50% |
| Utilities | $229 | $337 | -32% |
| Transport | $120 | $349 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $160 | $137 | +17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $3,046 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Auburn is estimated at
$55,000 vs $64,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Auburn | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,096 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,225 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $63,668 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Auburn | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Auburn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Auburn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Auburn | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Auburn.
From a growth perspective, Auburn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Auburn | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,918 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.20% | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Auburn
Advantages
Auburn consistently ranks among the top places to live in the U.S., recognized for its high quality of life and welcoming community.
The city boasts a nationally ranked public school system, making it attractive for families. [cite: 13, 15 in previous search, 39]
Auburn's economy is strong and growing, ranking among the top 10 Best-Performing Small Cities in 2026.
The cost of living in Auburn is 4% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being particularly affordable.
Crime rates saw an overall decrease in 2024, with significant drops in violent, property, and non-violent crimes.
Drawbacks
Despite overall affordability, utility costs in Auburn are 6% higher than the national average, largely due to high energy consumption for cooling.
Auburn is primarily a car-dependent city with limited public transit options, reflected in its average Walk Score of 28.
While violent crime is low, NeighborhoodScout indicates that Auburn's property crime rate is above average compared to all communities in America. [cite: 26 in previous search]
The median age of 25.9 years, while vibrant, might indicate a younger demographic that may not appeal to all residents.
The state of Alabama's health system was ranked 42nd nationally in 2025, suggesting broader systemic challenges despite local hospital quality. [cite: 45 in previous search]
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Auburn
#22Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,032
Avg Salary
$51,096
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
70
Huntsville
#22Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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