Moving from Arlington, TX to Huntsville, AL
It is 683 mi between Arlington and Huntsville β roughly 12h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
683 mi Β· 12h 33m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, US 72 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.7% moving from Arlington to Huntsville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Huntsville run about 9.7% cheaper β ZHVI $310,971 β $287,569 (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 54.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 62.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.4 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.33 |
Household income lines up β $73,519 vs $70,778 on 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 Texas 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 683 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 9.7% lower than Arlington (93.072 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 683 mi and the route typically takes 12h 33m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 7.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Huntsville, AL.