Moving from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama: the complete guide

If you're one of the U.S. Space Command families or civilians leaving Peterson and Colorado Springs for Redstone Arsenal, this page covers the move itself. It explains how far it is, how the climate and costs compare, how taxes differ, and the Alabama deadlines that start when you arrive.

Quick facts: Colorado Springs vs. Huntsville

The drive: Colorado Springs to Huntsville route

The fastest route we computed runs east on US-24 to I-70 across Kansas and Missouri. It then picks up I-64 near St. Louis, I-24 toward Nashville, and I-65 south into North Alabama.^[1] Other routes through Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Memphis are common, so compare them in a live maps app with current traffic, construction, and winter weather on I-70. If you're moving under orders, check what your travel entitlements cover before you plan stops.^[7]

Space Command move timeline: when to plan what

1. As soon as you have orders or a relocation offer: contact your relocation office. At Redstone, that's the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program (3443 Aerobee Road; Mon 1-4 p.m., Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.).^[8,9] Military members can build a checklist in Plan My Move.^[10]
2. Household goods (military): set up your shipment in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS).^[11,7] DoD civilians should follow their agency relocation counselor and orders. Entitlements depend on who you work for, so confirm them before you sign anything.
3. Schools: ask the Redstone School Liaison Officer (through ACS) about enrollment, records transfer, and calendars. Then read the Huntsville-area schools guide.^[12]
4. Housing search: decide which gate and building you'll commute to before you choose a neighborhood. See neighborhoods near Redstone Arsenal.
5. Arrival week: get onto post (DoD ID holders are enrolled automatically on their first gate scan). Read base access.^[13]
6. Within 30 days: get your Alabama driver's license and register your vehicle (details below). Then work through the first-90-days checklist.

For the command-level schedule (who moves when), see Space Command Huntsville timeline.

Cost of living: Huntsville vs. Colorado Springs

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which compare price levels across metro areas (U.S. average = 100). In 2024, overall prices were 93.1 in the Huntsville metro and 100.7 in the Colorado Springs metro, so Colorado Springs ran about 8% higher overall.^[5,4] The biggest gap is housing: 77.9 in Huntsville vs. 116.2 in Colorado Springs.^[6] Your actual budget depends on your house, commute, and family. For the full category breakdown, see Huntsville vs. Colorado Springs cost of living.

Weather and climate: what changes

Expect a lower, warmer, much wetter place. Huntsville's airport averages 62.9°F per year and 54.29 inches of precipitation, compared with 50.4°F and 15.91 inches at the Colorado Springs airport. Snowfall averages 2.4 inches in Huntsville and 32.5 inches in Colorado Springs (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).^[3,2] North Alabama also gets severe storms and tornadoes. Sign up for local alerts and learn tornado safety basics from the National Weather Service Huntsville office.^[14,15]

Taxes: Alabama vs. Colorado

Active-duty members' state of legal residence (and military spouses' tax residency) follow federal rules such as the SCRA and the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, so moving to Alabama doesn't automatically change your tax home. Start with Military OneSource's tax resources or free MilTax help.^[23] This is general information, not tax advice.

Alabama driver's license transfer (30 days)

New Alabama residents must get an Alabama driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident.^[24] Out-of-state transfers are handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Driver License Division. ALEA lists the documents you need: your out-of-state license, Social Security card, a primary identity document, and proof of Alabama residence.^[25] Madison County's license department notes that transfers are done at ALEA's driver license office.^[26] Check current fees and requirements on the ALEA page before you go; fees change.^[25]

Active-duty members and families: ask ALEA and your installation legal office whether any military exception applies to your situation before you assume one does.

Registering your car in Alabama (Madison County)

You must register an out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of the date it enters Alabama. Penalties apply after that.^[27,28] In Madison County, register at the county license department. The main office is at 1918 N. Memorial Parkway, Huntsville; phone 256-532-3315.^[29] The county says to bring:^[30]

• your original title, or, if a lienholder holds it, a copy of the title or your previous registration showing the title number
• a valid driver's license for every owner
• proof of Alabama insurance
• your last out-of-state registration
• the vehicle itself, so the VIN and mileage can be verified

Leased vehicles need extra paperwork from the leasing company.