Firstly why Huntsville, Alabama?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Huntsville
• State: Alabama
• Population: 205,120 people
• Huntsville’s quick summary would be Renowned as ‘Rocket City’ for its significant contributions to the U.S. space program and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 12,000 annually
• Net Migration: -4000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 3,000
• Number of Homeless people: 300

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its tech industry and proximity to NASA attracts professionals in science and engineering

Perk #1: Huntsville Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 61%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $57,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Huntsville is $68,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $11000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Huntsville’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 86 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,290
• Property Tax %: 1.6%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,200
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Five Points
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Athens, and probably could include Decatur
• Avg. Age of Homes in Huntsville: 41 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Huntsville’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Huntsville are  Aerospace, Military, and Technology
• Huntsville Job Scene: strong job market with aerospace and defense industries
• The General Tech Scene: thriving tech hub known for aerospace and defense industries, home to many tech startups ,
• Huntsville Resident’s pay $1,200 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Huntsville: 4%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 120 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 8

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Huntsville

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $95 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-565 connects Huntsville to I-65 facilitating regional travel
• Commute Time: 22 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slow traffic on Research Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 27 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Huntsville: 220,000
• Cars registered per Person: 1.1
• No. of Car Washes: 10 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Huntsville: revenue.alabama.gov/division/motor-vehicle/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 66 of 100
• Local Airport: Huntsville International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Huntsville’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
• General Weather in Huntsville is best described as experiences hot summers with high humidity and mild winters with occasional snow and freezing temperatures
• Winter Weather in Huntsville i’d describe as cool and wet
• Spring Weather in Huntsville can be described as warm with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Huntsville are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Huntsville is usually cool and mild
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 62 days in summer
• Days in a row in Huntsville below Freezing: 1
• Average Annual Rainfall: 54 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality with some seasonal ozone issues
• Huntsville Winter Air average air quality with some pollution from industrial activities

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Huntsville Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Huntsville 4
• While the number of trade schools inside Huntsvilles’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Huntsville Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Huntsville only Doctors is about 120
• Local Hospitals here is  6
• Full-time Huntsville only Police Officers is about 600
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Huntsville’s Monthly utility bill average is $140
• Huntsville’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
• Huntsville’s Water Quality Score: 75

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Huntsville

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 12 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: technology and space industry hub with a growing arts scene
• You might enjoy concerts at the Von Braun Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Huntsville  features a mix of craft breweries lively music spots and outdoor venues for a dynamic nightlife

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Huntsville

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers southern food Asian cuisine and a focus on local craft breweries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 120 scattered around Huntsville
• The Popular Sports Team is Huntsville Havoc
• Top Level Political Climate in Huntsville can be described as rapidly growing tech hub with a moderate to conservative political climate
• Huntsville’s Longer standing religious establishment is Monte Sano United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Huntsville Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Huntsville has 70 Parks?
• Big Spring International Park is Huntsville’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Huntsville Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, rock climbing, and camping

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Huntsville Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Huntsville can be described as fast growing with a tech-centered culture and active community
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Huntsville visiting space museum hiking in nearby state parks sports at school
• The Cities people commute to from Huntsville are Montgomery 170 miles away Birmingham 100 miles away Tuscaloosa 114 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Huntsville or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: slow traffic on Research Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Huntsville’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Five Points is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Huntsville are Montgomery 170 miles away Birmingham 100 miles away Tuscaloosa 114 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Huntsville has 1 days in a row below freezing and 62 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Huntsville people have an average (positive or negative) $11000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   300 homeless people living in Huntsville. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general rapidly growing tech hub with a moderate to conservative political climate could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Huntsville.

Retiree & Senior Life in Huntsville

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may be eligible for reductions on property taxes based on income and age
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Waterford at Huntsville
• Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center offers social activities and health programs for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Huntsville, Alabama?

If Huntsville, Alabama ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Huntsville, Alabama, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!