Auburn, AL vs Huntsville, AL

Auburn, AL and Huntsville, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 90 while Huntsville scores 87 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,034/month compared to $1,078/month in Huntsville — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Huntsville actually has lower median home values ($263,100 vs $342,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $56,123 compared to $70,778 in Huntsville (-20.7%). Huntsville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Huntsville.

Climate-wise, Auburn is notably warmer with an average of 66.6°F compared to 62.9°F in Huntsville. Huntsville receives more rainfall at 54.3" per year compared to 48.8" in Auburn.