Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “The Rocket City,” or just by its name, Huntsville, AL, is one of the great destinations to move to in the Southeast. From its legendary food scene to its easy access to all Alabama has to offer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise nearly 217,000 people are living in Huntsville.
As more people move to Huntsville, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $324,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $159. And for renters, the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Huntsville is $1,132.
Don’t worry if those numbers don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve rounded up a list of the 6 best affordable Huntsville suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 40-minute drive from the city. That way you can live nearby without paying the price of living in Huntsville.
#1: Decatur
Median home price: $229,500
Average sale price per square foot: $126
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $899
Driving distance from Huntsville: 30 minutes
Decatur, AL homes for sale
Decatur, AL apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $229,500, Decatur is the most affordable suburb of Huntsville, AL, on our list. Just about a 30-minute drive away from Huntsville, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a 35,000-acre wildlife habitat, check out Point Mallard Park, and visit the Old State Bank museum.
#2: Arab
Median home price: $240,000
Average sale price per square foot: $137
Driving distance from Huntsville: 40 minutes
Arab, AL homes for sale
Arab, AL apartments for rent
Taking the second place on our list is Arab. Just about 40 minutes from Huntsville, you can visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in just a quick drive. When living in this suburb of 8,500 people, you can spend time exploring the charming downtown.
#3: Harvest
Median home price: $283,750
Average sale price per square foot: $156
Driving distance from Huntsville: 25 minutes
Harvest, AL homes for sale
Harvest, AL apartments for rent
25 minutes outside of the city, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Harvest. There’s plenty of picturesque and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Harvest. Make sure to visit one of the many local shops and attractions if you move to the third most affordable suburb of Huntsville, AL.
#4: Athens
Median home price: $305,000
Average sale price per square foot: $151
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $950
Driving distance from Huntsville: 50 minutes
Athens, AL homes for sale
Athens, AL apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Harvest is none other than Athens. With a population close to 25,400, there’s still plenty to do in this Huntsville suburb. Plan to spend the day at the Alabama Veterans Museum, visit Big Spring Park, and hike Swan Creek Greenway National Recreation Trail.
#5: Moores Mill
Median home price: $315,000
Average sale price per square foot: $164
Driving distance from Huntsville: 20 minutes
Moores Mill, AL homes for sale
Moores Mill, AL apartments for rent
Drive 20 minutes outside of Huntsville and you’ll find the suburb of Moores Mill, another great area to add to your list. Home to 6,700 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Huntsville without paying the price for a home or apartment in the city. In Moores Mill, you’ll have easy access to all the attractions throughout the city of Huntsville.
#6: Meridianville
Median home price: $331,900
Average sale price per square foot: $155
Driving distance from Huntsville: 15 minutes
Meridianville, AL homes for sale
Meridianville, AL apartments for rent
Another well-known suburb of Huntsville, AL, is Meridianville, where the median home sale price is $331,900. Home to roughly 8,200 people, Meridianville is a great suburb to consider moving to. And you’ll have quick access to what makes this suburb special, like visiting one of the quaint parks and many local shops.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Huntsville and under a 40-minute drive from downtown Huntsville. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.