Moving from Huntsville, AL to Glendale, CA
A 2003 mi cross-country move between Huntsville and Glendale is 35h 9m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2003 mi · 35h 9m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 55, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Glendale is 22.0% above Huntsville — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 16.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.63 |
Households in Glendale earn about 22.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 19.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 54.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 317.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 22.0% higher than Huntsville (113.566 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Glendale, CA from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 2003 mi and the route typically takes 35h 9m via I 40 and I 55. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2003 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 Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Glendale, CA.