Factors influencing moving costs from Columbus to Huntsvilletoggle

The cost of Columbus movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Columbus to Huntsville can be as low as $1,338 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,721.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbus, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $474 to $1,139. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Columbus to Huntsville

Columbus Huntsville
Average rent cost $1,441 $1,409
Average home value $238,832 $266,736
Average income (per capita) $65,075 $60,959
Cost of living (single person) $2,784 $3,133
Cost of living (family of 4) $7,249 $4,140
Unemployment rate 5.7% 3.1%
Sales tax 7.5% 9.0%
State income tax 3.5% 5.0%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Huntsville are 2% lower than in Columbus.
  • Home prices in Huntsville are 11.7% higher than in Columbus.
  • Income in Huntsville is 6.3% lower than in Columbus.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Huntsville is 12.5% higher than in Columbus.
  • The cost of living for a family in Huntsville is 42.9% lower than in Columbus.
  • The unemployment rate in Huntsville is 45.61% lower than in Columbus.
  • Sales taxes in Huntsville are 20.00% higher than in Columbus.
  • State income taxes in Huntsville are 42.86% higher than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,376.08 in Huntsville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Huntsville

Huntsville Columbus
Population 241,114 905,748
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 2 5
Walkability score 24 41
Bike friendliness score 40 48
Crime Index 42.55 49.65
Safety Index 57.45 50.35
Air Quality Good Good
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Huntsville's population is about 73% less than Columbus.
  • Huntsville's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Columbus's lower score of 5.
  • Huntsville is less walkable than Columbus with a score of 24 out of 100 vs Columbus's 41 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 Columbus, which has a score of 48 out of 100.
  • Huntsville's crime rate is lower than Columbus with a score of 42.55 compared to Columbus's 49.65. This means that Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65%.
  • Huntsville is considered to be safer than Columbus with a safety index of 57.45 vs Columbus's 50.35.
  • Air quality in Huntsville is good, and in Columbus it's good.

Other things to consider for your Columbus 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 singlestoggle

  • Five Points
  • Downtown Huntsville
  • Hampton Cove
  • Whitesburg
  • Research Park

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Blossomwood
  • Hampton Cove
  • Jones Valley
  • Madison
  • South Huntsville

Things to do in Huntsvilletoggle

After settling into your new Alabama home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Huntsville has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Huntsville is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 cityโ€™s Big Spring Park, Dog Spot dog park, Bicentennial Park, and California Street Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), North Alabama SC Gravity (WPSL), Rocket City Roller Derby (WFTDA), or Rocket City Trash Pandas (AA Minow League) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Columbus to Huntsville?

The best time to move from Columbus to Huntsville is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbus.

When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Huntsville?

Because most people are moving from Columbus to Huntsville in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Columbus to Huntsville take?

The 488-mile move from Columbus, OH, to Huntsville, AL, takes one to four days. Some Columbus movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Huntsville.

Helpful moving resources

Columbus moving services

Popular Ohio routes

Popular moving resources