($1,312) Movers From Chicago, IL to Huntsville, AL

What to know before moving from Chicago to Huntsville

Moving from Chicago to Huntsville means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Huntsville, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Chicago compares to Huntsville so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Huntsville are 31% lower than in Chicago, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Huntsville.
  Home prices in Huntsville are 9.8% lower than in Chicago.
• Income in Huntsville is 14.8% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Huntsville include Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, Huntsville Hospital, and Sequel Youth and Family Services.
• The cost of living for a single person in Huntsville is 14.1% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Huntsville is 55.3% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Huntsville is 65.56% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Huntsville, since the city’s sales taxes in Huntsville are 12.20% lower than in Chicago.
• State income taxes in Huntsville are 1.01% higher than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,576.48 in Huntsville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Huntsville

• Huntsville's population is about 91% less than Chicago.
• Huntsville's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Chicago's higher score of 9.
• Huntsville is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 24 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
• Huntsville has a bike-friendliness score 40 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Chicago, which has a score of 72 out of 100.
• Huntsville's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 42.55 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
• Huntsville is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 57.45 vs Chicago's 33.87.
• Air quality in Huntsville is good, and in Chicago it's good.

Other things to consider for your Chicago 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.

Helpful moving resources