Moving from Springfield, IL to Huntsville, AL
It is a 469 mi drive, roughly 9h 3m, between Springfield, IL and Huntsville, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
469 mi Β· 9h 3m by car Β· AL β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 65, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.745 vs 93.072 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $163,198 to $287,569 moving to Huntsville.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 54.3" |
Annual temperature rises 10.0Β°F moving to Huntsville per NOAA normals.
Huntsville averages 2.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.33 |
Households in Huntsville earn about 0.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Illinois 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 469 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 8.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 469 mi and the route typically takes 9h 3m via I 24 and I 65. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 0.4% higher than Springfield (93.072 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 76.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Huntsville, AL.