Moving from Huntsville, AL to Austin, TX
Relocating 854 mi from Huntsville to Austin is a 15h 26m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
854 mi · 15h 26m by car · TX → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, US 72 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin runs about 5.4% more expensive overall than Huntsville — RPP 93.072 → 98.066.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $287,569 in Huntsville to $508,530 in Austin, a 5.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 36.3" |
Expect 7.1°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.4% — $70,778 → $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 76.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 854 mi and the route typically takes 15h 26m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 854 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 29.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 5.4% higher than Huntsville (98.066 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (7.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 54.3 in.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Austin, TX.