Factors that influence moving costs from Little Rock to Huntsville
What to know before moving from Little Rock to Huntsville
Moving from Little Rock to Huntsville comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Huntsville is generally more expensive than Little Rock, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Little Rock | Huntsville | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,100 | $1,409 |
Average home value | $209,020 | $266,736 |
Average income (per capita) | $56,928 | $60,959 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,756 | $3,133 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,149 | $4,140 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.1% |
Sales tax | 8.63% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 2.0% | 5.0% |
- Rent prices in Huntsville are 28% higher than in Little Rock, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Little Rock.
Home prices in Huntsville are 27.6% higher than in Little Rock. - Income in Huntsville is 7.1% higher than in Little Rock, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Huntsville include Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, Huntsville Hospital, and Sequel Youth and Family Services.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Huntsville, since the cost of living for a single person in Huntsville is 78.4% higher than in Little Rock. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in Huntsville and Little Rock.
- The unemployment rate in Huntsville is 47.46% lower than in Little Rock.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Huntsville, since the cityโs sales taxes in Huntsville are 4.29% higher than in Little Rock.
- State income taxes in Huntsville are 150.00% higher than in Little Rock.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,352.51 in Huntsville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Little Rock.
How life is different in Little Rock vs. Huntsville
Huntsville | Little Rock | |
---|---|---|
Population | 241,114 | 202,591 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 2 | 3 |
Walkability score | 24 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 40 | 32 |
Crime Index | 42.55 | 60.06 |
Safety Index | 57.45 | 39.94 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Huntsville's population is about 19% greater than Little Rock.
- Huntsville's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Little Rock's higher score of 3.
- Huntsville is less walkable than Little Rock with a score of 24 out of 100 vs Little Rock's 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 40 out of 100, Huntsville is more bike-friendly than Little Rock, which has a score of 32 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Huntsville's crime rate is lower than Little Rock with a score of 42.55 compared to Little Rock's 60.06. This means that Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Little Rock neighborhoods are safer than 60.06%.
- Huntsville is considered to be safer than Little Rock with a safety index of 57.45 vs Little Rock's 39.94.
- Air quality in Huntsville is good, and in Little Rock it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Little Rock vs. Huntsville move
- Weather: Huntsville experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Huntsville is located in tornado alley.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Alabama does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Huntsville. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Huntsville
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Rocket City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Huntsville.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Five Points
- Downtown Huntsville
- Hampton Cove
- Whitesburg
- Research Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Blossomwood
- Hampton Cove
- Jones Valley
- Madison
- South Huntsville
Things to do in Huntsville
Once youโre settled into your new home in Alabama, itโs time to get out and discover what Huntsville has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Huntsville features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, Huntsville Museum of Art, Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, and Earlyworks Museum Complex.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Big Spring Park, Dog Spot dog park, Bicentennial Park, and California Street Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), North Alabama SC Gravity (WPSL), Rocket City Roller Derby (WFTDA), or Rocket City Trash Pandas (AA Minow League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Huntsville?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Little Rock to Huntsville. Youโll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Little Rock.
When is the cheapest time to move from Little Rock to Huntsville?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Little Rock to Huntsville, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Little Rock to Huntsville take?
The 350-mile journey from Little Rock, AR to Huntsville, AL typically takes one to four days. Some movers in Little Rock offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Huntsville.