City Comparison

Huntsville vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

9.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.0%, with Huntsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to $82,418 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
79
Huntsville
94
Irving
Groceries
96
Huntsville
99
Irving
Utilities
91
Huntsville
111
Irving
Transportation
98
Huntsville
97
Irving
Healthcare
93
Huntsville
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $82,418 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $68,250 in Huntsville.

Living in Huntsville vs Irving

Housing Costs

Huntsville's housing index of 79 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $318,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville vs $470/month in Irving. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Huntsville and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville vs $444 in Irving. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Huntsville and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,098 in Huntsville and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Huntsville vs $1,713/month in Irving. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntsville is 9.0% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,418 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Huntsville's housing index is 79 with median homes at $260,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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