Huntsville, Alabama

What's the cost of living in Huntsville, AL?

Though the cost of living in Huntsville is higher than the state average, residents tend to pay less than those who live in other major metro areas around the country. This is due in large part to lower housing costs. Huntsville residents pay roughly the same as the average American for everyday costs like utilities, groceries and transportation.

What's the best way to get around Huntsville, AL?

You'll need a car to get around Huntsville. The metro area has stepped up efforts in recent years to become more walkable and bike-friendly, but for the most part, residents are accustomed to driving everywhere.

There is a shuttle bus system in Huntsville proper that includes nine full-time routes and two additional weekend routes. However, the system does not service the metro area's suburban communities, meaning it's not the most convenient mode of transit for a large portion of residents.

Huntsville has an international airport located on the outskirts of town that's serviced by American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Nonstop flights are available to major metro areas around the country, including Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Washington, D.C. Huntsville is also home to a Greyhound bus terminal.

Who lives in Huntsville, AL?

Though Huntsville is working toward more entertainment and downtown living options to appeal to young professionals, most of the area's households are composed of families. Also, due to the large defense and technology sector, it's a popular place for military retirees. 

Approximately half of Huntsville's population claims religious affiliations. Most residents who identify as religious are part of the region's evangelical Protestant community, but Huntsville's international population means there are a variety of other places of worship, including mosques and temples. 

Madison and Limestone counties, which contain the Huntsville metro area, have among the highest median incomes in the state. That said, neighborhoods on the east side of town tend to be more affluent, with homes being valued higher than those in the city center and to the south.

Huntsville has been the fastest-growing metro area in the state for the past 15 years and is projected to become the largest metro area in Alabama by 2022. Thanks to the high-tech and defense sectors, many of the region's residents hail from other parts of the country and the world, making Huntsville a more diverse community than other similarly sized metro areas in the Deep South.

What is there to do in Huntsville, AL?

Space is at the center of Huntsville's identity. To get a better understanding of the region's ties to the Final Frontier, residents can spend a day touring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which documents the history of space exploration. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is also home to every kid's bucket-list experience: Space Camp.

Huntsville has a number of other cultural attractions unrelated to aerospace. For example, the Alabama Constitution Village offers a look at what life was like in Alabama in the 1800s, while the North Alabama Railroad Museum and the Historic Southern Railway Station highlight the history of train travel in northern Alabama. Those interested in art should pay a visit to Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, a renovated textile mill that is the nation's largest privately owned arts center. The Mill houses artists working in a variety of mediums, features live music and theater, and serves as the city's unofficial avant-garde arts headquarters. The Huntsville Museum of Art also offers a wide range of pieces across a variety of permanent and traveling exhibits.

Thanks to its high-tech sector, Huntsville has a significant international population, and the region's culinary scene reflects this diversity. Area restaurants offer everything from Vietnamese to German to Indian fare. More standard Southern fare, including barbecue joints and farm-to-table cafes, are also popular.

Because the climate is warm most of the year, outdoor concerts and events are plentiful. The downtown area hosts outdoor concerts, movies and food truck rallies almost every weekend (except in winter). Some of the quirkier events include giant pinball games, taproom music tours, and laser light and music shows. Meanwhile, Monte Sano State Park is a favorite with hikers and mountain bikers. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts head to nearby Lake Guntersville and the Tennessee River.