Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Huntsville?

Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Huntsville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Huntsville.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Huntsville?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Huntsville Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 32% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$815

+34% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$900

+44% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,080

+42% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,251

+44% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$263,100

+48% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$70,778

+32% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$51,740

+12% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

36.4 yr

+4.5 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

58.1%

+1.7 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

46.2%

+7.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

19.3 min

+9.4 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

483.2

+40% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,395.7

+13% in Huntsville, AL

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

62.1°F

+5.0°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

—

54.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Annapolis, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.4

+25% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$24.06

+7% in Huntsville, AL

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AL)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.00%

+1.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Huntsville?: Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Huntsville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Huntsville?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).