Moving from Carrollton, TX to Huntsville, AL
It is 675 mi between Carrollton and Huntsville β roughly 12h 19m 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.
675 mi Β· 12h 19m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | 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 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Huntsville at 93.072 vs Carrollton at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $406,040 to $287,569 moving to Huntsville.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 54.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Carrollton (65.8Β°F) and Huntsville (62.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (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: RICHARDSON, TX US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.33 |
Huntsville households earn about 9.7% less than Carrollton at the median β $99,115 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 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
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton 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.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 675 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 9.7% lower than Carrollton (93.072 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 675 mi and the route typically takes 12h 19m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Huntsville, AL.