If you're moving from Huntsville to Massachusetts, you're covering roughly 1,117 miles and stepping into a noticeably different cost of living. Here's what I've pulled together: the best local movers for this specific route, honest cost ranges across three service types, and a clear-eyed look at what life in Massachusetts actually costs compared to Huntsville.
Local moving companies in Huntsville
Of the 8 Huntsville movers capable of handling state-to-state relocations, here are the five I'd put on your shortlist for a move to Massachusetts:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.56 / 5
- Motivated Movers, Inc. — 4.58 / 5
- Applewhite Movers LLC — 4.48 / 5
- This Side Up Moving & Storage — 4.48 / 5
- Black Tie Moving — 4.38 / 5
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
8215 Stephanie Drive Southwest, Huntsville, AL 35802
- Yelp reviews (26 reviews)
- Google reviews (1,060 reviews)
- BBB Grade: A+
85% positive | 13% negative across 247 reviews
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK's Huntsville location earns solid marks for careful handling and professional crews. Reviewers call out attentive furniture and fragile-item protection, efficient job completion, and reliable communication from the office side. A lot of repeat customers came back after trying other companies that didn't hold up.
The downside is real: damaged belongings top the complaint list, followed by delays and a claims department that's slow to engage. A handful of customers paid more than quoted and found resolution hard to come by. That said, 85% positive across a substantial review pool puts them above average for a mover handling both local and interstate work.
State license: 614 | DOT: 2527384 | 35 years in business (256) 392-9462
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes, credit cards accepted
Motivated Movers, Inc.
211 Palmer Rd, Suite D, Madison, AL 35758
- Yelp reviews (45 reviews)
- Google reviews (569 reviews)
- BBB Grade: A+
94% positive | 6% negative across 255 reviews
These numbers are hard to dismiss. At 94% positive across 255 reviews, Motivated Movers is among the stronger regional performers I've tracked. Customers specifically call out efficiency, crew professionalism, and movers who go beyond the basics. Multiple reviewers switched from other companies after a bad experience and chose Motivated Movers as the fix.
The small negative slice centers on damage, surprise charges on final bills, and management that didn't handle disputes well. My advice: confirm all pricing in writing before the crew shows up and document anything valuable before they touch it.
14 years in business (256) 858-6683
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, antiques, crating, storage, safes, credit cards accepted
Applewhite Movers LLC
5640 Oakwood Road Northwest, Huntsville, AL 35806
- Yelp reviews (14 reviews)
- Google reviews (123 reviews)
- BBB Grade: A+
87% positive | 10% negative across 140 reviews
Applewhite gets consistent credit for speed and communication — reviewers describe efficient, respectful crews who treat the job seriously. Their reputation in Huntsville is particularly strong for local work, though they handle interstate moves too.
Where they lose points: property damage complaints and slow or unresolved claims. The crew side of this operation seems solid; the back-end processes when something goes wrong need work.
State license: 4119 | DOT: 2172780 | 14 years in business (256) 430-1198
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, credit cards accepted
This Side Up Moving & Storage
217 Import Circle, Huntsville, AL 35806
- Yelp reviews (22 reviews)
- Google reviews (552 reviews)
- BBB Grade: A+
94% positive | 6% negative across 244 reviews
A 94% positive rate across 244 reviews is consistent enough to take seriously. Customers highlight accurate quotes, courteous crews, and real care for both belongings and the home itself. For a mover covering both short and long hauls, that kind of consistency is uncommon.
The negatives: some unaddressed damage, a few reports of lost items, and one notable case involving a truck mismatch that created confusion and unexpected charges. Claims handling is the area that needs improvement. Fix that, and This Side Up is one of the best options in Huntsville.
State license: 3959 | DOT: 1874024 | 19 years in business (256) 653-7612
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, storage, credit cards accepted
Black Tie Moving
4411 Evangel Circle Northwest, Huntsville, AL 35816
- Yelp reviews (8 reviews)
- Google reviews (271 reviews)
- BBB Grade: A+
97% positive | 3% negative across 226 reviews
Black Tie Moving has the best positive rate on this list — 97% across 226 reviews — and that holds up even when you factor in their relatively short history. Reviewers consistently describe on-time arrival, proper furniture wrapping, and crews that do what they said they'd do. For a four-year-old company, that's notable.
The negatives, while rare, include sloppy packing on some jobs, unexpected charges, and a handful of damage reports. The systems aren't fully mature yet, but the raw numbers are strong.
State license: 4111 | DOT: 2407712 | 4 years in business (256) 755-4836
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, crating, storage, credit cards accepted
Local moving services in Huntsville, AL
Here's a breakdown of specialty services across the 8 Huntsville movers that handle interstate moves:
| Service | # of Movers | % Offering |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 8 | 100% |
| Small moves | 1 | 12.5% |
| Antiques | 3 | 37.5% |
| Art | 2 | 25% |
| Pianos | 7 | 87.5% |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 25% |
If you have specialty items — pianos, antiques, artwork — confirm your mover handles them specifically before booking. Not all "we do everything" claims hold up.
Cost to move from Huntsville, AL to Massachusetts
What you'll spend on a Huntsville to Massachusetts move depends heavily on home size and how much of the work you want to hand off:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,246 – $4,898 | $785 – $1,957 | $644 – $1,251 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,532 – $6,249 | $1,555 – $2,870 | $711 – $1,502 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,315 – $8,324 | $1,961 – $3,711 | $875 – $1,885 |
Estimates based on a 1,117-mile move from Huntsville, AL, using verified rate data as of January 2026, refreshed monthly. Final costs vary based on volume, access constraints, fuel, timing, and add-ons. Compare multiple quotes before committing.
Use our moving cost calculator to sharpen these ranges based on your actual load and move date.
Cost to hire movers from Huntsville to Massachusetts
For a studio or one-bedroom, full-service movers will typically run $1,246 to $4,898. A two- or three-bedroom move lands between $2,532 and $6,249, and a four-plus bedroom home pushes $4,315 to $8,324. Those wide ranges are real — summer timing and additional services can push you toward the top quickly.
Cost of moving containers from Huntsville to Massachusetts
Moving containers give you flexibility: you pack on your own schedule, and the company handles transport. For a small load, plan on $785 to $1,957. Two-to-three bedroom moves typically run $1,555 to $2,870, and larger households should expect $1,961 to $3,711.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Huntsville to Massachusetts
A rental truck is the cheapest option on the table — but you're trading dollars for labor. You load, drive 1,100-plus miles, and unload everything yourself.
Studio or one-bedroom rentals run $644 to $1,251. Two-to-three bedroom moves land between $711 and $1,502, and larger homes should budget $875 to $1,885. Fuel costs are already factored into these estimates.
Factors influencing moving costs from Huntsville to MA
- Move size: More volume means a larger truck and more crew time. Clearing out before you move pays off more on a long haul than on a local job.
- Time of year: Peak season runs June through August. Moving in fall or early spring is almost always cheaper, and availability is better.
- DIY vs. professional movers: Renting a truck saves money upfront, but account for the physical toll of a long drive, overnight hotel costs, and the real risk of damage if you're not experienced with loading a truck properly.
What you should know before moving from Huntsville to MA
Massachusetts costs more to live in than Huntsville — sometimes significantly more. Going in with realistic numbers is the kind of preparation that actually matters.
Compare cost of living: Huntsville vs. Massachusetts
| Huntsville, AL | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,409 | $1,588 |
| Average home cost | $266,736 | $623,131 |
| Average income (per capita) | $60,959 | $96,505 |
| Cost of living index | 94 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | 3.9% |
| State income tax | 5.0% | 9.0% |
Huntsville sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Massachusetts sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
A few things worth breaking out:
- Rent is about 13% higher in Massachusetts — manageable, but it adds up month over month.
- Home prices are roughly 134% higher. If you're planning to buy, that's a fundamentally different financial conversation.
- Income averages about 58% higher in Massachusetts — which helps, but only if you're earning at that level.
- Overall cost of living runs about 6% higher than Huntsville.
- Unemployment is about 26% higher in Massachusetts, so expect more competition for open roles.
- State income tax jumps from 5% in Alabama to 9% in Massachusetts — an 80% increase in your tax rate that shows up every paycheck.
How life is different in Huntsville, AL vs. Massachusetts
| Huntsville, AL | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 241,114 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 64.8–34.2 | Democratic 61.5–36.3 |
| Summer high | 90°F | 82°F |
| Winter low | 30°F | 16°F |
| Annual rain | 55″ | 49″ |
| Annual snow | 2″ | 47″ |
| Crime index | 42.55 | 13.92 |
Huntsville sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Massachusetts sources: Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow.
A few things I'd flag for someone making this specific move:
- Summers are cooler. Massachusetts peaks around 82°F vs. Huntsville's 90°F. If you're heat-averse, that difference is real.
- Winters are a genuine adjustment. Winter lows of 16°F — versus Huntsville's 30°F — mean different gear, higher heating bills, and about 47 inches of snow per year. Huntsville averages 2 inches. If you've never dealt with a New England winter, build some runway for it.
- Less rain overall. Massachusetts gets about 49 inches annually to Huntsville's 55 — slightly drier, just with more of it coming as snow.
- Crime is notably lower. Massachusetts's crime index of 13.92 versus Huntsville's 42.55 is a substantial gap. If neighborhood safety is a factor in where you choose to land, that's worth noting.
- Both areas lean Democratic, though Massachusetts is operating at a much larger population scale.
Other considerations when moving to Massachusetts
A few practical items that tend to catch people off guard on this route:
- HOA rules: Check your new community's move-in policies before scheduling. Some have restricted hours or require advance notice.
- Elevator reservations: If you're moving into a building with an elevator, reserve it ahead of time. Most urban buildings in the Boston area require this.
- Truck parking permits: Cities like Boston and Cambridge often require permits for moving trucks parked on public streets. Check with the city clerk's office at least a week out.
- State licensing: Massachusetts movers must be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division. They're required to carry cargo insurance and publicly file their service tariffs. Verify your mover's license before you book.
- State regulator: You can check a mover's Massachusetts license and status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: No statewide moving permit is required in Massachusetts, but local parking rules vary — confirm the specifics before move day.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address form at least a week before you move, and set the start date to your actual move date so mail forwards automatically.
- Moving insurance: Alabama and Massachusetts both require movers to offer Released Value Protection at no cost, but that covers only 60 cents per pound per item — not enough for anything with real value. Ask your mover about full value protection, or look into third-party coverage separately.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist covers the deadlines, deposits, and small details that tend to fall through the cracks on a long-distance move.
Things to do in Massachusetts
If you're moving somewhere new, it helps to know what you're heading toward.
Museums in Massachusetts
- The House of the Seven Gables
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Plimoth Patuxent
- New Bedford Whaling Museum
- John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Parks in Massachusetts
- Stage Fort Park and Beach
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial
- Forest Park
- Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)
- Veterans Memorial Park
Sports teams in Massachusetts
- Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Boston Bruins (NHL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA)
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- New England Revolution (MLS)
Universities in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Boston University
- Tufts University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
FAQ
How long does a move from Huntsville to Massachusetts take?
Typically two to eight days, depending on the service type and your mover's schedule. Summer moves run toward the longer end of that window. Ask for a specific delivery timeframe before you book — reputable long-distance movers will give you one in writing.
What's the availability of custom crating among movers in Huntsville?
Six Huntsville movers offer custom crating for items like art, antiques, and sensitive electronics. Confirm the materials and dimensions match your specific items — crating quality varies more than most people expect.
What's the best way to get a car from Huntsville to Massachusetts?
On a 1,100-mile haul, auto transport is worth considering seriously. Look for a licensed, bonded carrier and get at least two quotes before committing. Our guide to car shipping companies covers the options and what to watch out for.
Why are people moving from Huntsville to Massachusetts?
Most people I hear from on this route are moving for jobs, education (Massachusetts has one of the densest concentrations of universities in the country), or family. The trade-off is a real cost-of-living step up — go in with your budget already mapped out.
Can I use cash to pay a mover in Huntsville, AL?
No Huntsville movers on this list currently accept cash. Most require a card, ACH transfer, or certified funds. Expect to pay a deposit at booking and the balance at pickup or after delivery — confirm the exact terms before signing anything.
If you're serious about this move, start by getting multiple quotes so you have real numbers to compare, not just estimates. Our moving cost calculator can help you build a baseline before you reach out to companies.