Moving from Birmingham, AL to Huntsville, AL
The 98 mi from Birmingham to Huntsville translate to about 1h 51m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
98 mi · 1h 51m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 565, US 72 ALTERNATE |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Huntsville and Birmingham is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Huntsville is 1.6% above Birmingham — $135,870 vs $287,569 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 54.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9°F) and Huntsville (62.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Huntsville averages 2.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.33 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.6% between Birmingham and Huntsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,600 | $39,750 |
| Production Occupations | 22,310 | $44,450 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,530 | $38,160 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,460 | $94,520 |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 19,870 | $107,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Huntsville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Huntsville averages 54.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Huntsville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 62.9°F in Huntsville vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.4 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 54.3 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 1.6% higher than Birmingham (93.072 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 98 mi and the route typically takes 1h 51m via I 65 and I 565. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 111.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 98 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 59.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Huntsville, AL.