Moving from Phoenix to Huntsville, AL: Prices, Taxes and Where to Live

Arizona and Huntsville share a lot of defense work. Raytheon has major missile operations in Tucson and in Huntsville, where it finished a $115 million expansion of its missile integration facility in 2026. Boeing, which builds Apache helicopters in Mesa, has worked in Huntsville since about 1962, from the Saturn V to the Space Launch System.

The Numbers Side by Side

The median value of owner-occupied homes in the Huntsville metro is about 29% lower than in Phoenix. Alabama does not tax Social Security, military retired pay or most government and defined-benefit pensions, which matters if you are bringing a pension with you. Owner-occupied homes here are assessed at 10% of value, so property tax bills tend to be modest.

What $471K Buys Here

As of October 31, 2026 there were 2,454 homes for sale in Madison and Limestone counties at or under $471K, the median value of owner-occupied homes in Phoenix. Their median size is about 1,952 square feet, and 1,207 of them have four or more bedrooms.

See those homes.

Where to Start Looking

Start with homes near Raytheon and our employer pages.

Madison is its own city with its own school system. South Huntsville has the widest range of homes and quick access to the Arsenal. Harvest, Athens and the Limestone County side give you more house and land for the money. Our ZIP code comparison, commute guide and honest look at living here help narrow it down.

Buying From Out of State

1. Get pre-approved with a lender who knows Alabama. Property taxes are paid differently here than in many states, and the homestead exemption has to be filed.
2. Pick your commute first. Know your gate, building or parking lot, then search by distance.
3. Tour by video, then visit with a short list. We can walk homes on live video and line up a full day of showings when you fly in.
4. Check school zones by address. Huntsville City, Madison City, Madison County and Limestone County are separate school systems, and lines do not follow ZIP codes.
5. Plan for storms. North Alabama has a spring and a fall severe weather season. Read our storm safety guide and ask about safe rooms.

Coming from somewhere else? See all our relocation guides, and when you get here, the outdoors and things to do.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B25077 (median value of owner-occupied homes); Tax Foundation, 2026 state income tax rates; Tax Foundation, state and local sales tax rates, midyear 2026; Tax Foundation, property taxes by county (2024 data); Alabama Department of Revenue: exempt income; Madison County property tax facts; City of Huntsville sales tax rates; RTX: Alabama missile integration facility expansion (Mar 2026); Boeing: Huntsville at 60.

Home values are metro-wide medians of owner-occupied homes as reported by owners, from the same U.S. Census Bureau source for both markets (2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B25077). They are not sale prices and will not match any single neighborhood. Tax information is general and is not tax advice; talk to a tax professional about your situation.

Distances are straight-line miles, not drive times. Your commute depends on the route, your gate or parking lot and the time of day, so drive it at rush hour before you buy. Market numbers come from ValleyMLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Employer information comes from public sources listed on this page as of October 23, 2026. Wyze Realty is not affiliated with any employer named here.