Moving from Hampton, VA to Huntsville, AL
It is 730 mi between Hampton and Huntsville — roughly 13h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
730 mi · 13h 36m by car · AL → TN → GA → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → GA → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Knoxville, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.0% cheaper overall in Huntsville than Hampton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Hampton to Huntsville — $275,341 vs $287,569 (2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 54.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Huntsville gets around 2.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.33 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
Moving between Virginia and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Huntsville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 62.9°F in Huntsville vs 59.8°F in Hampton (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.4 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.3 in vs 47.8 in.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 5.0% lower than Hampton (93.072 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 730 mi and the route typically takes 13h 36m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 4.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 4.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hampton 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 730 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Huntsville, AL.