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The full-size Saturn V rocket replica at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, seen from below against a bright blue sky and white clouds

Independent guide · Huntsville & Redstone Arsenal

Moving to Huntsville for the military or defense work? Start here.

Free, sourced guides for Space Command families, Redstone PCS moves, transitioning service members, DoD civilians and contractors.

Get the move checklist What's on this month
  • Every fact linked to its source
  • Events updated weekly
  • Independent. We never sell leads.

Photo: Naomi Persephone Amethyst, CC BY-SA 4.0 · credits

Who this guide is for

Space Command transfers

U.S. Space Command headquarters is moving from Colorado Springs to Redstone Arsenal in phases.[1]

Colorado Springs → Huntsville guide →

Transitioning service members

Alabama does not tax military retirement pay.[2] See what else matters when you settle here after service.

Leaving the military →

Redstone PCS, civilians & contractors

Gate hours, how to get on post, and your first-week logistics.

Base access & gates →

The guides

All resources →

  • Colorado Springs → Huntsville

    Space Command move: the drive, climate, taxes and Alabama deadlines.

  • Neighborhoods

    Madison, Harvest, Athens and more compared on rent, home values and drive time to Gate 9.

  • Schools

    Every district near Redstone, with links to official state report cards.

  • Base Access

    Gate hours, the Visitor Control Center, REAL ID and first-week tips.

  • First 90 Days

    License, registration, utilities and school deadlines after you arrive.

  • Move Checklist

    Printable checklist from before orders to your first 90 days.

  • Leaving the Military

    Retirement-pay taxes, veteran benefits, SkillBridge and defense jobs.

  • Cost of Living

    Official BEA price data for Huntsville vs. Colorado Springs.

  • Space Command

    Sourced timeline of U.S. Space Command's move to Redstone.

Coming up in Huntsville

Full calendar →

Huntsville at a glance

Housing numbers, sourced

  • Median gross rent, City of Huntsville: $1,171/month (ACS 2020–2024).[3]
  • HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom, Huntsville metro: $1,310/month.[4]
  • Madison City Hall to Gate 9: about 12 minutes (6.8 mi) with no traffic, by routing-engine estimate.[5]

Compare all the towns →

Every fact on this site links to an official or primary source, and each page lists when it was last checked. If we couldn't verify a number, we say so.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rocket City Move affiliated with the military or Redstone Arsenal?

No. We are an independent informational site. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense, the Army, U.S. Space Command, or Redstone Arsenal. For official guidance, use the installation's own pages and your relocation office.[6,7]

Do you recommend real estate agents or sell referrals?

No. We are not a real estate brokerage. We do not refer people to agents, take referral fees, or sell leads. Local businesses can buy flat-fee ads, which are always labeled Sponsored and never affect our guides (see our sponsorship policy). Alabama law requires a license to help buy, sell, or rent real estate for a fee.[8]

Where should a family moving to Redstone Arsenal start?

Contact the Redstone Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program as soon as you have orders. Military OneSource recommends contacting your installation relocation program as early as possible.[7,9]

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. Rules, hours and figures change, so confirm with the official source before you act.

  1. U.S. Space Command: USSPACECOM takes operational control of facility at Redstone Arsenal (Apr 29, 2026)
  2. Alabama Dept. of Revenue: Income exempt from Alabama income taxation (lists military retirement pay)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B01003, B19013, B25064, B25077, B08013, B08303), retrieved via Census Reporter
  4. HUD USER: Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (Huntsville, AL MSA and Decatur, AL MSA)
  5. OSRM open-source routing engine (driving route estimate, computed Oct 24, 2026)
  6. Redstone Arsenal: Visitor Information (gate hours, access policy)
  7. Redstone Arsenal MWR: Relocation Readiness Program
  8. Code of Alabama §34-27-30 (real estate license required), Alabama Legislature (ALISON)
  9. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: Redstone Arsenal Relocation Assistance