Moving from Huntsville, AL to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 912 mi between Huntsville and Elizabeth — roughly 17h 16m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 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.
912 mi · 17h 16m by car · AL → TN → GA → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → GA → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 11, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Knoxville, Allentown, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth is 20.9% above Huntsville — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 7.4°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.96 |
Households in Elizabeth earn about 20.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 2.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 912 mi and the route typically takes 17h 16m via I 81 and US 11. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 20.9% higher than Huntsville (112.563 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 9.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 912 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (7.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 54.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 85.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Elizabeth, NJ.