Moving from St. Louis, MO to Huntsville, AL
It is a 420 mi drive, roughly 7h 50m, between St. Louis, MO 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.
420 mi Β· 7h 50m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 65, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.33 |
Huntsville households earn about 2.1% more than St. Louis at the median β $55,279 β $70,778 on 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.
Moving between Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 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.
- 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
Is Huntsville more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 2.1% lower than St. Louis (93.072 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 28.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Huntsville, AL from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 420 mi and the route typically takes 7h 50m via I 24 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 420 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Huntsville, AL.