City Comparison

Huntsville vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Huntsville

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

4.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.6%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to $71,703 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Huntsville
86
Springdale
Groceries
96
Huntsville
97
Springdale
Utilities
91
Huntsville
93
Springdale
Transportation
98
Huntsville
91
Springdale
Healthcare
93
Huntsville
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $71,703 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $78,448 in Huntsville.

Living in Huntsville vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Huntsville's housing index of 79 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $299,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Huntsville and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 4.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,703 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Huntsville's housing index is 79 with median homes at $260,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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