Get ready to explore your next future new abode by moving to Huntsville, Alabama.
Located in the northern part of the state, Huntsville, The Rocket City of Alabama buzzes with a steeped rich history, strong tech presence, and the essence of southern hospitality, advancing as the state’s fastest-growing metro area.
Once a quaint farming town, Huntsville is recognized internationally for its role in the Apollo moon landing program and many other space-related developments and tests.
This blog post will examine the facts and opinions surrounding moving to Huntsville, Alabama, whether visiting, transferring, or relocating, to illuminate every aspect of your next exciting chapter.
Population & Diversity of Huntsville, AL
The most populous city of Alabama, Huntsville, is in Madison County and extends partially into Limestone and Morgan Counties. The city is home to approximately 221,933 residents in the Huntsville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The breakdown of Huntsville’s population includes:
- In Huntsville, there are 48.69% men and 51.31% women.
- The most common language spoken in Huntsville is English.
- The median age of Huntsville is 37.1 years.
- The Population diversity score in Huntsville is 88 out of 100.
- Poverty rate- 14.6%
The racial composition of Huntsville comprises of
- White-59.9%
- Black or African American- 30.9%
- Hispanic population- 6.4%
Is Huntsville, AL, safe?
Huntsville, Alabama, is not a very safe place to live because it has one of the highest crime rates in the country. But its communities and Eastern Huntsville region are considered safe to live in.
Here are some essential facts about the Huntsville crime scenes.
- The overall crime rate in Huntsville is 49.17 per 1000 people.
- The probability of experiencing a violent or property crime as a victim in Huntsville is 1 in 103 and 1 in 32, respectively.
- Burglary, robbery, car theft, and arson are the most common types of property crimes in Huntsville, with motor vehicle theft being the highest among them.
In contrast to the state and national averages, the following describes the crime rate in Huntsville:
| Crime type | Huntsville | Alabama | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 43.2 | 28.6 | 22.7 |
| Property crime | 66.9 | 43 | 34 |
Cost of Living in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, Alabama, has a cost of living that is comparatively lower than the national average, ranking 2013th out of 2202 in the US.
Check out some essential facts about living costs in Huntsville, AL.
- Huntsville’s cost of living index is 5.8% below the national average and 12% below Alabama’s average.
- The average monthly cost in Huntsville for a single person is $1654, and for a family of four is $3912, including rent.
- A minimum yearly income of $49,680 for a family of four and $37,600 for a single person is ideal to live comfortably in Huntsville.
Here is a table comparing the cost of living in Huntsville, AL, with other cities in Alabama:
| City | Cost of Living Index | Housing | Groceries | Utilities | Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 94.2 | 24% cheaper than the US average | 2% lower than US average | 8% lower than US average | 9% lower than US average |
| Birmingham | 89.3 | 31% cheaper than US average | 5% lower than US average | 5% lower than US average | 9% lower than US average |
| Montgomery | 91.8 | 35% cheaper than US average | 4% lower than US average | 3% lower than US average | 6% lower than US average |
| Mobile | 88.8 | 38% cheaper than US average | 5% lower than US average | 3% lower than US average | 6% lower than US average |
The table below shows the cost of living indices in Huntsville, AL, in comparison with Alabama and the national average:
| Category | Huntsville | Alabama | US average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94.2 | 84.1 | 100 |
| Food and groceries | 96 | 94.4 | 100 |
| Healthcare | 123.8 | 118.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 76.6 | 56.6 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 101.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 80.6 | 85.9 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 85.6 | 71 | 100 |
Job Market in Huntsville, AL
The Huntsville job sector is thriving, with countless agencies offering thousands of positions for hire, which has increased 3.6% over the past year.
The average hourly wage in Huntsville, AL, is $30.67, and around $60,959 annually, which differs from one employment setting to the others.
As of December 2022, Huntsville’s unemployment rate was 2%, lower than the 3.3% national average.
The top employers in Huntsville
- U.S. Army/Redstone Arsenal
- Huntsville Hospital system
- Boeing Company
- Huntsville City Schools
- NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
- Sanmina-SCI
- Cinram
- Intergraph
- City of Huntsville
- Madison County Schools
The most common job titles in Huntsville
- Software Developers
- Systems Engineers
- Registered Nurses
- Mechanical Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Project Managers
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Operations Research Analysts
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Industrial Engineers
The highest-paying job profiles in Huntsville
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Engineering
- Nurse Practitioner
- Construction Superintendent
- Attorney
- Software Developer
- Pilot (First Officer)
- Account Executive
- Master Craftsman
- OB/GYN
Tax rates in Huntsville, AL
Tax rates in Huntsville, AL, are affordable and comparable to other cities in Alabama.
Huntsville, AL, collects and administrates taxes on gasoline, alcoholic beverages, lodging, sales, rental/leasing, tobacco, and wine.
The types of taxes imposed on Huntsville, AL residents are as follows:
- Sales tax: 9% (combination of 4% Alabama sales tax, 2% County tax, and 4.5% Huntsville tax).
- Income tax: 5% based on income levels.
- Property tax: 0.36% of the asserted value.
Housing market in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, AL’s real estate market is competitive yet offers affordable housing, averaging almost half the national average. But on the other hand, the mortgage and rental markets have increased by 11.1% since 2020.
Now, let’s critically analyze Huntsville’s housing and rental market.
- Huntsville, AL’s housing market is exhibiting some intriguing trends, scoring 49 out of 100.
- The city has a median property value of $169 per square foot. as of 2023.
- Homeowners comprise more than 57% of the population, while 43% live in rentals.
- The city’s housing and real estate costs have risen by 3.4% in the last year and are growing by 1.3% annually.
- The Huntsville market sold 622 homes last month, down from 753 a year earlier.
- Homes in Huntsville are selling on the market in an average of 39 days, each receiving an average of two offers.
- The average cost of building a house in Huntsville averages $170-$400 per square foot, or about $267,620.
- The average home rent in Huntsville, AL, is $1195 per month as of 2023.
The table below illustrates the average housing and rental prices of Prattville, AL, compared to the US average.
| Housing costs | Huntsville, AL | US |
|---|---|---|
| Median home cost | $157,700 | $338,100 |
| Rental cost of a studio | $1050 | $1080 |
| Rental price of 1 bedroom | $878 | $1180 |
| Rental price of 2 bedroom | $1100 | $1430 |
| Rental price of 3 bedroom | $1575 | $1860 |
Top neighborhoods in Huntsville, AL
The best places to live in Huntsville, AL, are as follows:
- MidCity District
- Downtown
- Twickenham Historic District
- Jones Valley
- South Huntsville
- Hampton Cove
- Madison
Education system in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, AL, has 28 elementary schools, 26 preschools, 21 middle schools, and six high schools, all highly regarded.
There are over 23,939 students in this school district, and the student-teacher ratio is 19:1. Huntsville High School is ranked #17 in Alabama and #1,712 in the United States.
At least four four-year private colleges or universities near Huntsville, Alabama, offered degrees to 6,367 undergraduates.
Huntsville, AL’s top public, private, and elementary schools are here.
Public schools in Huntsville, AL:
- Monte Sano Elementary School
- Riverton Elementary School
- Mt Carmel Elementary School
Private schools in Huntsville, AL:
- Whitesburg Christian Academy
- Randolph School
- St. John Paul II Catholic High School
Public Transportation in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville has a diverse public transportation system, so getting around town is a breeze.
People in Huntsville, AL, have an average commute time of 22.9 minutes while driving alone to work, less than the national average of 26.5 minutes.
Below is a list of the transportation options that are available in Huntsville:
- Huntsville Transit has 11 bus routes with 360 stops, including Redstone Arsenal, covering a large area.
- The Orbit Public Transit System covers 175 miles of Huntsville streets per hour on nine routes.
- Access Paratransit Service provides door-to-door, demand-response paratransit for seniors and disabled people in the city.
Weather and climate in Huntsville, AL
The climate of Huntsville, Alabama, is classified as humid subtropical with four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The average annual temperature here fluctuates between 33°F and 89°F.
Here are some essential weather and climate data for Huntsville.
- From May to September, July is the hottest month of the year in Huntsville, with a 70°F low and an 88°F high on average.
- With average high and low temperatures of 33°F-50°F, January brings the cold between November and February.
- January is Huntsville’s cloudiest month, with 54% cloudy skies.
- Huntsville, Alabama, receives 54.7 inches of rain per year, compared to the US average of 38.1 inches and 2.4 inches of snow per season, with January having the most snowfall.
- Huntsville’s busiest season for tourism is summer, when people hike, fish, camp, and more.
- The average hourly wind speed in Huntsville varies seasonally over the year.
Here is a table for the weather in Huntsville, AL, by month:
| Month | Average High (°F) | Average Low (°F) | Average Precipitation (in) | Record High (°F) | Record Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51.2 | 32.4 | 4.8 | 79 | -11 |
| February | 55.8 | 35.7 | 4.8 | 83 | -17 |
| March | 64.3 | 42.3 | 5.2 | 90 | 6 |
| April | 73.6 | 50.4 | 4.8 | 95 | 22 |
| May | 81.4 | 59.5 | 4.8 | 100 | 31 |
| June | 88.1 | 67.4 | 4.2 | 108 | 40 |
| July | 90.2 | 70.4 | 4.7 | 111 | 50 |
| August | 90.1 | 69.1 | 3.9 | 108 | 49 |
| September | 85.2 | 62.7 | 3.7 | 108 | 31 |
| October | 74.8 | 51.1 | 3.7 | 100 | 23 |
| November | 62.8 | 40.5 | 4.5 | 88 | 0 |
| December | 54.0 | 35.3 | 4.8 | 81 | -3 |
Things to Do in Huntsville, AL
Check out the list of things to do and places to see in Huntsville, AL:
- Visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to explore space and rocketry history
- Enjoy the scenic beauty at Big Spring International Park
- Walk through the Huntsville Botanical Garden
- Attend some of the local festivals, art exhibits, and food truck rallies
- Take a tour of the downtown area’s eateries, pubs, and breweries
- View Cultural Attractions at the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
- Stroll through Monte Sano State Park
Pros and Cons of Living in Huntsville, AL
Here’s a list of the pros and cons of living in Huntsville, AL.
| Pros of Living in Huntsville, AL | Cons of Living in Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|
| Plenty of job opportunities | Severe weather |
| Low housing cost | Low homeownership rate |
| Tasty Southern food | Limited public transportation |
| Clean and well-kept area | Lack of infrastructure |
| Quiet neighborhoods | Seasonal allergies |
| Light traffic | Tornado risk |
| Affordability and cost of living | Limited diversity |
| Thriving economy | Right-wing political climate |
| A diverse range of industries | High pollen and humidity |
| An abundance of outdoor activities | Traffic issues |
| Strong sense of community |
Final Verdict
The Watercress capital of the world, Huntsville, is one of the top 100 places to live in America. If you contemplate moving to Alabama, then settling down in Huntsville will present you with lower living costs, excellent quality of life, top-class education systems, affluent history and entertainment, and more. Think! If the city has grown from a tiny farm town to the fastest-growing metro area, it could take you from zero to hero within no time, with its never-ending opportunities. So, pack your bags without wasting time, and have a safe transition!
Image Credit: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons