($1,435) Movers From Charleston, WV to Huntsville, AL

What to know before moving from Charleston to Huntsville

Moving from Charleston to Huntsville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Huntsville is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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 61% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Huntsville are 73.6% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Huntsville is 2.7% higher than in Charleston, 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 102.3% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Huntsville, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Huntsville is 7.2% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Huntsville is 50.00% lower than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Huntsville, since the city’s sales taxes in Huntsville are 28.57% higher than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Huntsville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 23.08% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,067.79 in Huntsville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Huntsville

• Huntsville's population is about 402% greater than Charleston.
• Huntsville's public transportation has a similar score to Charleston.
• Huntsville is less walkable than Charleston with a score of 24 out of 100 vs Charleston's 33 out of 100.
• With a score of 40 out of 100, Huntsville is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 28 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 Charleston with a score of 42.55 compared to Charleston's 53.94. This means that Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
• Huntsville is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 57.45 vs Charleston's 46.06.
• Air quality in Huntsville is good, and in Charleston it's good.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Huntsville move

• Weather: Huntsville experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Huntsville is located in tornado alley.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Alabama, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Alabama doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Huntsville without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Huntsville

With your sights set on "Rocket City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Huntsville.

Helpful moving resources