Median Home
$280,000
Rent (1BR)
$1,000/mo
Cost of Living
90 / 100
Unemployment
2.8%
Sunny Days
213/yr
Walkability
Car-Dependent
What It's Really Like in Huntsville
Rocket City USA with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and a booming aerospace/defense economy. One of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast with affordable living and a high concentration of engineers.
Neighborhood Guide
Where to live in Huntsville based on your lifestyle and budget.
Downtown Huntsville
trendyRevitalized downtown with restaurants, breweries, and Big Spring Park.
Avg Rent
$1,200
Home Price
$300,000
Walkability
Medium
Twickenham
upscaleAlabama's largest antebellum historic district with stunning homes near downtown.
Avg Rent
$1,300
Home Price
$450,000
Walkability
Medium
Hampton Cove
family-friendlySoutheast Huntsville with Robert Trent Jones golf, top schools, and mountain views.
Avg Rent
$1,200
Home Price
$350,000
Walkability
Low
Five Points
artsyHistoric neighborhood with Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, the largest independent arts facility in the US.
Avg Rent
$1,000
Home Price
$280,000
Walkability
Medium
Cost of Living Breakdown
Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.
Groceries
93
7% below avg
Housing
76
24% below avg
Transportation
92
8% below avg
Healthcare
90
10% below avg
Utilities
94
6% below avg
Best Neighborhoods By Situation
Best for Families
- Hampton Cove — $1,200/mo rent
Best for Young Professionals
- Downtown Huntsville — $1,200/mo rent
Most Affordable
- Five Points — $1,000/mo rent
- Downtown Huntsville — $1,200/mo rent
Getting Around Huntsville
Walkability: Car-Dependent
Huntsville is primarily car-dependent. You'll need a vehicle for most daily activities including commuting, shopping, and entertainment.
Airport: HSV
Huntsville is served by HSV airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.
Jobs & Economy
Median Income
$55,530
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
State Income Tax
2-5%
Cost of Living Index
90
Top Industries
Aerospace/DefenseTechnologyGovernmentResearchManufacturing
Major Employers
Redstone ArsenalNASA Marshall Space Flight CenterBoeingRaytheonFBI
Popular Routes to Huntsville
People are moving to Huntsville from these cities.
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
1,041 miles18.9hr driveI-20 East
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
2,338 miles42.5hr driveI-20 West
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
646 miles11.7hr driveI-65 North
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
802 miles14.6hr driveI-65 South
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
1,895 miles34.5hr driveI-20 West
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
940 miles17.1hr driveI-20 East
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
1,023 miles18.6hr driveI-20 West
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
2,283 miles41.5hr driveI-20 West
Huntsville, ALHuntsville
782 miles14.2hr driveI-20 West
Moving from Huntsville to Other States
Route guides from Huntsville, AL to every US state.
Huntsville → CaliforniaHuntsville → TexasHuntsville → FloridaHuntsville → New YorkHuntsville → PennsylvaniaHuntsville → IllinoisHuntsville → OhioHuntsville → GeorgiaHuntsville → North CarolinaHuntsville → MichiganHuntsville → New JerseyHuntsville → VirginiaHuntsville → WashingtonHuntsville → ArizonaHuntsville → MassachusettsHuntsville → TennesseeHuntsville → IndianaHuntsville → MarylandHuntsville → MissouriHuntsville → WisconsinHuntsville → ColoradoHuntsville → MinnesotaHuntsville → South CarolinaHuntsville → LouisianaHuntsville → KentuckyHuntsville → OregonHuntsville → OklahomaHuntsville → ConnecticutHuntsville → UtahHuntsville → IowaHuntsville → NevadaHuntsville → ArkansasHuntsville → MississippiHuntsville → KansasHuntsville → New MexicoHuntsville → NebraskaHuntsville → IdahoHuntsville → West VirginiaHuntsville → HawaiiHuntsville → New HampshireHuntsville → MaineHuntsville → Rhode IslandHuntsville → MontanaHuntsville → DelawareHuntsville → South DakotaHuntsville → North DakotaHuntsville → AlaskaHuntsville → District of ColumbiaHuntsville → VermontHuntsville → Wyoming
Moving from Huntsville to Metro Areas
Route guides from Huntsville to major metropolitan areas.
Huntsville → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJHuntsville → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CAHuntsville → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INHuntsville → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CAHuntsville → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXHuntsville → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVHuntsville → Trenton-Princeton, NJHuntsville → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CTHuntsville → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MDHuntsville → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FLHuntsville → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZHuntsville → Vallejo, CAHuntsville → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TXHuntsville → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WAHuntsville → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MDHuntsville → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WAHuntsville → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHHuntsville → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, COHuntsville → Kenosha, WIHuntsville → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Moving from Huntsville to Major Cities
Route guides from Huntsville to the largest US cities.
Huntsville → New York, NYHuntsville → Los Angeles, CAHuntsville → Chicago, ILHuntsville → Houston, TXHuntsville → Phoenix, AZHuntsville → Philadelphia, PAHuntsville → San Antonio, TXHuntsville → San Diego, CAHuntsville → Dallas, TXHuntsville → Austin, TXHuntsville → San Jose, CAHuntsville → Jacksonville, FLHuntsville → Fort Worth, TXHuntsville → Columbus, OHHuntsville → Charlotte, NCHuntsville → Indianapolis, INHuntsville → San Francisco, CAHuntsville → Seattle, WAHuntsville → Denver, COHuntsville → Nashville, TNHuntsville → Oklahoma City, OKHuntsville → Washington, DCHuntsville → El Paso, TXHuntsville → Boston, MAHuntsville → Portland, ORHuntsville → Las Vegas, NVHuntsville → Memphis, TNHuntsville → Louisville, KYHuntsville → Baltimore, MDHuntsville → Milwaukee, WI
Your Huntsville Newcomer Checklist
A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.
30
First 30 Days
- Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
- Register to vote at your new address
- Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
- Find a primary care doctor & dentist
- Open a local bank account if needed
- Explore your neighborhood on foot
60
Days 30–60
- Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
- Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
- Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
- Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
- Attend a local event or festival
- Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself
90
Days 60–90
- Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
- Build a professional network in your industry
- Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
- Explore day-trip destinations nearby
- Start feeling like a local — give directions!
- Invite friends & family to visit your new home