Moving to Huntsville, AL: Everything You Need To Know About Relocating to Rocket City

Located in northern Alabama, the city of Huntsville is primarily known for its U.S. Space & Rocket Center. But there’s much more to the area than simulators and space camps — and people are starting to notice. They’re now asking, “Is Huntsville, Alabama, a good place to move to?” and the resounding answer is “Absolutely!” Here are some reasons why moving to Huntsville, AL, is growing in popularity: The city has a cost of living below the nation’s average, there are plenty of job opportunities, and residents never run out of fun things to do.

Are you interested in moving to Huntsville, AL, too? Read on to learn more about Rocket City.

About Huntsville

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Huntsville is located near the Tennessee River, about 100 miles north of Birmingham. The name came from a desire to honor John Hunt — an American pioneer and Revolutionary War veteran who settled in the area — and out of disdain for the British influence of the town’s previous name, “Twickenham” (also the name of a suburb of London where Alexander Pope resided for many years). Approximately 228,600 people reside in the city, and Huntsville’s median age is right around 37 years old. 

If you’re nervous about moving to Huntsville, AL, and figuring out how to meet new people, put those worries to rest. Huntsville prides itself on its strong sense of community, as evident in its variety of cultural events, such as the:

• Christmas Parade
• Von Brewski Beer Festival
• Panoply Arts Festival (hosted by the non-profit organization Arts Huntsville)

The pros and cons of living in Huntsville, Alabama? Job opportunities and humid weather, respectively.

Pros and Cons of Living in Huntsville, Alabama

Sure, it’s exciting to learn about the perks of a new location before moving there — especially if you’re moving to Huntsville, AL. But you must take into consideration the downsides, as well, before officially making the leap. Here are a few of the pros and cons of living in Huntsville, Alabama.

Pro: Proximity to Other Popular Cities

Huntsville is only about an hour and a half from Birmingham and Chattanooga, and it’s less than three hours from Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.

Pro: Job Opportunities

Some of the largest organizations in the state of Alabama — and even the nation — have operations in the city of Huntsville, including Boeing, NASA, and the U.S. Army. The area also has a thriving tech sector.

Pro: Plenty of Cuisine Options for All Tastes

It’s probably a given that those who love Southern cuisine will surely find plenty of places to eat while living in Huntsville, AL. But there are plenty of other cuisines to try from different cultures all around the world, as well. Some of the best options can be found in the suburb of Hartselle, including Fuqua’s Southern Soulfood and Old Havana Café. 

Con: Uncomfortable Weather

The subtropical climate of Huntsville results in hot and humid summers with heat indices above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes some portions of the summertime feel pretty unbearable. Moving to Huntsville, AL, from a northern state? You’ll still have cold months in Huntsville, but it won’t compare to what you’re used to.

Con: Limited Nightlife Scene

Although there are plenty of restaurants and entertainment options in Huntsville, the nightlife scene is not as prominent as in other larger cities. Huntsville is more geared toward a laid-back lifestyle with more family-friendly activities.

Con: Lacking Diversity 

Residents in Huntsville have expressed their concerns about the city's limited ethnic and cultural diversity over the years; however, there have been efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI).

Huntsville, AL, Cost of Living

According to BestPlaces, Huntsville has a cost of living index of 94.2 out of 100. The cost of basic necessities like food, housing, transportation, child care, taxes, and health care are 5.8 percent lower than the U.S. average and 12 percent higher than the state average.

So how much do you need to make to live comfortably in Huntsville, Alabama?

According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a family of four with two working adults needs a minimum yearly income of around $102,000 before taxes, while a single person needs around $44.000 before taxes.

One of the main factors why the Huntsville, AL, cost of living is considered so reasonable has to do with the housing market. With an average home price of approximately $276,600, finding an affordable home in Huntsville is easier than in other parts of the country. Likewise, the average rent is around $1,225 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. 

As for taxes, the combined sales tax rate for Huntsville is 9 percent. The sales tax rate in Alabama is at 4 percent, and the county's tax rate is at 0.5 percent. Huntsville's sales tax rate adds an additional 4.5 percent. 

Living in Huntsville, AL, may come with higher temperatures, but that can also mean more excuses to spend time on the gorgeous Fairy Lake!

Huntsville Climate and Weather 

In Huntsville, the summer season is best characterized as hot and muggy, while the winters are typically cold and damp, yet short. The temperature fluctuates from 33 degrees Fahrenheit to 89 degrees Fahrenheit during the course of the whole year, and it rarely gets below 19 degrees Fahrenheit at any point.

The summer season in Huntsville usually lasts from the end of May until the end of September, and the hottest month in the city is July, as the average temperature is around 88 degrees Fahrenheit. November to February brings the coldest weather in Huntsville, with an average low of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Jones Valley

Maybe you want to be close to downtown Huntsville but aren’t the historic home type. That’s ok! You should look at Jones Valley, which is located at the base of Monte Sano Mountain (hello, gorgeous views!). Once a farm owned by the Jones family, these 2,500 acres of former cotton fields have been transformed into a residential paradise. And don’t worry, Jones Farm is still operational today and is the largest working urban farm in the nation.

This area is great for families with parents working in downtown Huntsville businesses but wanting outdoor activities and lush parks for kids. In fact, if you’re looking for an easy hike to take with the whole family, try the beautiful Jones Valley Loop.

Meridianville, AL

Situated north of Huntsville, the charming town of Meridianville is best known for its top-notch schools and plethora of jobs, making it ideal for families. In fact, Niche ranks Meridianville as the fourth best place to raise a family in the Huntsville area!

It’s no secret that Huntsville is known for its aerospace, defense, IT, and bioscience industry jobs. And many of these jobs can be found at Redstone Arsenal and the Cummings Research Park, just a short drive away from Meridianville. 

The area also has popular local cultural attractions, like the North Alabama Railroad Museum.

Popular with young professionals, the suburb of Hartselle is best for those who like to stay active, as it’s home to many parks and recreational facilities, including the popular Point Mallard Park. You can also find some of the best eateries local to Huntsville here, such as Fuqua’s Southern Soulfood, OH! Bryan’s Family Steakhouse, and Old Havana Café.

Known for its tranquil setting, the suburb of Harvest offers its residents a sense of peace and comfort, along with plenty of amenities, such as libraries and parks — like the Harvest Square Preserve — making it perfect for retirees. 
 
The people of Harvest are known for their friendliness and take pride in their quaint town. During the warm summer season, this area is a particularly great place to spend time with family and friends, as it offers fun activities such as farmers markets and festivals, like the Old School and Blues Festival.

Living in Huntsville means being in the same city as the the most comprehensive U.S.-manned spaceflight hardware museum in the world — the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Things To Do in Huntsville 

Aside from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, what is there to do in Huntsville? Plenty! Here are a few of our favorites.

For Arts and Culture

• Huntsville Museum of Art: Home to over 3,000 objects in its collection.
• Huntsville Symphony Orchestra: The state’s longest-running professional orchestra.
• Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment: The largest privately owned arts center in the South.
• U.S. Space & Rocket Center: The largest space museum in the world. (The rockets that put the first man on the moon were developed here!)

For Exploring the Outdoors

• Ditto Landing: The gateway to the Tennessee River.
• Monte Sano State Park: Numerous hiking and biking trails to explore.
• Huntsville Country Club: Situated in a picturesque part of Huntsville, those who play on the golf courses at the Huntsville Country Club can stay active while also enjoying some beautiful scenery.

For Shopping

• Bridge Street Town Centre: A variety of stores available to shop at, along with unique restaurants.
• Railroad Station Antique Mall: Find plenty of Huntsville’s rich history when you shop here.

Education in Huntsville

Moving to Huntsville, AL, and curious about its public and private schools? Fortunately, Huntsville is home to some of the state’s best.

High-ranking public schools include:

• Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering
• James Clemens High School
• Bob Jones High School
• New Century Technology High School

Standout private institutions include:

• Randolph School
• St. John Paul II Catholic High School
• Westminster Christian Academy
• Madison Academy

Moving to Huntsville, AL? PODS offer flexible moving and storage solutions that work around your schedule.

Moving to Huntsville, AL

There are many factors to consider before officially moving to Huntsville, AL. The biggest decision you’ll make? Deciding how you’ll get there. Automatically going with a full-service company isn’t always necessary, just as renting a truck and doing it yourself may not be the best choice either. To help you get started with your decision, here’s a brief rundown of the top ways to make your move. 

PODS Portable Moving Containers

Using a portable moving container from PODS to complete your move is a more affordable alternative to full-service movers and much less stressful than the DIY rental truck option. With a moving container, you are able to pack and load your things on your own time with one month of built-in storage included in every move. You simply take care of the packing and loading while PODS takes care of the driving.

The Cost of Moving to Huntsville 

The moving process is different for every individual person or family, and there’s not a certain way to go about it that’s either “right” or “wrong.” To save some money, you can use a rental truck, or if your budget allows for it, you could also decide to hire full-service movers.

The total cost of moving to Huntsville, AL, will ultimately depend on factors like how much you’re moving and how far you’re moving. Here are a few estimates courtesy of MoveBuddha, though, so you have a better idea of how much moving to Huntsville, AL, will cost:

• For local moves: If you’re moving a three-bedroom home, a full-service moving company will cost around $1,360 for four movers doing eight hours of work.
• For long-distance moves: If you’re moving from Jacksonville, FL, to Huntsville, AL, the estimated cost is between $2,500 and $6,600 for professional full-service movers.

Choose PODS To Make Your Huntsville Move a Flexible One