($1,591) Movers From Portland, ME to Huntsville, AL

What to know before moving from Portland to Huntsville

Moving from Portland to Huntsville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Huntsville is generally more expensive than Portland, it’s 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:

• Rent prices in Huntsville are 29% lower than in Portland, 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 50.8% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Huntsville is 5.0% lower than in Portland, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Huntsville, since the cost of living for a single person in Huntsville is 25.8% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Huntsville is 31.7% lower than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Huntsville is 40.38% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Huntsville, since the city’s sales taxes in Huntsville are 63.64% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Huntsville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 13.79% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,773.18 in Huntsville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Huntsville

• Huntsville's population is about 252% greater than Portland.
• Huntsville's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Portland's higher score of 6.
• Huntsville is less walkable than Portland with a score of 24 out of 100 vs Portland's 62 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 Portland, which has a score of 68 out of 100.
• Huntsville's crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 42.55 compared to Portland's 32.16. This means that Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16%.
• Huntsville is considered to be less safe than Portland with a score of 57.45 vs Portland's 67.84.
• Air quality in Huntsville is good, and in Portland it's good.

Other things to consider for your Portland vs. Huntsville move

• Weather: Huntsville experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Huntsville is located in tornado alley.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Alabama moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Alabama doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Huntsville. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Huntsville

Ready to relocate to "Rocket City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Huntsville.

Helpful moving resources