Moving from Huntsville, AL to Chandler, AZ
It is 1633 mi and 29h 17m from Huntsville to Chandler — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1633 mi · 29h 17m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, US 72 |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Goodyear, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Chandler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.0% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $287,569 to $524,156 moving to Chandler.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Chandler -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Chandler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 278,123 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $103,691 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 28.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.63 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.0% — $70,778 → $103,691 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chandler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Chandler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,691 in Chandler vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 46.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chandler compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $524,156 in Chandler vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 82.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Chandler?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1633 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Chandler compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Chandler MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Chandler, AZ from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 1633 mi and the route typically takes 29h 17m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Chandler more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chandler is 11.0% higher than Huntsville (103.316 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Chandler, AZ.