Things to know before moving from Pennsylvania to Huntsville, AL

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Huntsville, AL

Pennsylvania Huntsville
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,409
Average home value $268,824 $266,736
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $60,959
Unemployment rate 3% 3%
State income tax 3% 5%
  • Rent is about 27% more expensive in Huntsville than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about the same in Huntsville and Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 17% lower in Huntsville than in Pennsylvania.
  • Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 9%.
  • Income taxes are 63% higher in Huntsville than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Huntsville from Pennsylvania

Huntsville Pennsylvania
Population 241,114 12,961,683
Political leaning Democratic 64.8-34.2 Republican 51-49
Summer high 90ºF 83ºF
Winter low 30ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 55" 44"
Annual snow 2" 38"
Crime index 42.55 17.62
  • The population of Huntsville is approximately 98% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Huntsville voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Huntsville is 90ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Huntsville reaches the temperature of 30ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 55 inches of annual rainfall in Huntsville vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Huntsville, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Huntsville has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 42.55 vs 17.62.

Things to do in Huntsville

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Huntsville.

Museums in Huntsvilletoggle

  • U.S. Space and Rocket Center
  • U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
  • Huntsville Museum of Art
  • Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
  • Earlyworks Museum Complex
  • Huntsville Depot Museum
  • North Alabama Railroad Museum
  • The Weeden House Museum and Garden
  • Von Braun Astronomical Society

Parks in Huntsvilletoggle

  • Big Spring Park
  • Dog Spot dog park
  • Bicentennial Park
  • California Street Park
  • Mayfair Park

Sports Teams in Huntsvilletoggle

  • Huntsville Havoc (SPHL)
  • North Alabama SC Gravity (WPSL)
  • Rocket City Roller Derby (WFTDA)
  • Rocket City Trash Pandas (AA Minow League)

Universities in Huntsvilletoggle

  • Alabama A&M University
  • J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College
  • Oakwood University
  • University of Alabama in Huntsville

Other considerations when moving to Huntsville, AL

  • 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 Alabama. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Pennsylvania to Huntsville take?

The time frame for a move from Pennsylvania to Huntsville, AL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Pennsylvania, the longer the drive time to Huntsville will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Huntsville from Pennsylvania can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Huntsville?

Because of the 848-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Huntsville as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Huntsville, AL?

With the summer highs of 90ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Huntsville from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Huntsville during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources