Huntsville Neighborhood Comparison Guide

Find the right neighborhood for your defense career at Redstone Arsenal

How to Use This Guide: Compare Huntsville neighborhoods based on commute times to Redstone Arsenal, housing costs, school ratings, and lifestyle factors. Ratings are on a 1-5 scale. Data reflects 2024-2025 averages.

Quick Comparison Overview

Neighborhood Commute to
Redstone		 Median Home
Price		 Avg Rent
(3BR)		 Schools
(1-5)		 Dining/
Nightlife		 Family
Friendly		 Best For
Hampton Cove 10-15 min $350K-$600K $1,800-$2,400 5/5 3/5 5/5 Families with kids
Madison (City) 20-30 min $300K-$500K $1,600-$2,200 5/5 4/5 5/5 Families, new construction
Downtown Huntsville 15-20 min $250K-$500K $1,400-$2,000 3/5 5/5 2/5 Young professionals, urban lifestyle
Jones Valley 15-25 min $280K-$450K $1,500-$2,000 4/5 4/5 4/5 Balance of everything
Owens Cross Roads 5-10 min $280K-$450K $1,400-$1,900 4/5 2/5 5/5 Shortest commute, rural feel
Meridianville 25-35 min $250K-$380K $1,300-$1,700 4/5 2/5 5/5 Value buyers, more land
Harvest 25-35 min $275K-$400K $1,400-$1,800 4/5 2/5 5/5 Growing families, new builds
Southeast Huntsville 10-20 min $200K-$350K $1,200-$1,600 3/5 3/5 3/5 Budget-conscious, close to base
Monte Sano 20-25 min $400K-$800K+ $2,000-$3,000 4/5 3/5 4/5 Nature lovers, executive homes
Research Park Area 10-15 min $300K-$500K $1,500-$2,100 4/5 4/5 4/5 Tech workers, contractors
Excellent Commute (<15 min)
Good Commute (15-25 min)
Moderate Commute (>25 min)
Gate Access Note: Commute times assume Gate 9 (Martin Rd) access. Add 5-10 minutes for Gate 1 (Rideout Rd) or Gate 7 (Patton Rd) depending on your work location.

Detailed Neighborhood Profiles

Hampton Cove

Location: Southeast of Redstone Arsenal, along US-431

Best For: Families prioritizing top schools and short commute. Golf enthusiasts (Robert Trent Jones course).

Pros

  • Shortest commute to Redstone (Gate 9)
  • Top-rated Huntsville City Schools
  • Resort-style amenities (golf, tennis)
  • Very safe, well-maintained
  • Strong sense of community

Cons

  • Higher home prices
  • Limited dining/entertainment options
  • HOA fees can be substantial
  • Less diverse housing styles

Madison (City of Madison)

Location: West of Huntsville, along I-565

Best For: Families wanting excellent schools with more shopping/dining options. New construction buyers.

Pros

  • Excellent Madison City Schools
  • Tons of new construction options
  • Great shopping (Bridge Street, Madison)
  • Strong community events
  • Good mix of price points

Cons

  • Longer commute to Redstone (20-30 min)
  • Traffic on I-565 during rush hour
  • Rapid growth causing growing pains
  • Some areas feel "cookie cutter"

Downtown Huntsville

Location: City center, around Big Spring Park

Best For: Young professionals, couples without kids, urban lifestyle seekers.

Pros

  • Walkable to restaurants, bars, events
  • Historic charm with modern updates
  • No yard maintenance (condos/townhomes)
  • Cultural attractions nearby
  • Short commute via Memorial Pkwy

Cons

  • Huntsville City Schools less desirable
  • Higher property taxes
  • Limited parking in some areas
  • Less space for the money
  • Urban noise

Owens Cross Roads

Location: Directly east of Redstone Arsenal

Best For: Those wanting the absolute shortest commute with a rural/suburban feel.

Pros

  • 5-10 minute commute to Gate 9
  • More land/larger lots available
  • Lower cost than Hampton Cove
  • Quiet, rural atmosphere
  • Good schools (Huntsville/Madison County mix)

Cons

  • Very limited retail/dining
  • Must drive everywhere
  • Less nightlife/entertainment
  • Some areas lack city utilities

Research Park Area

Location: South Huntsville, near Cummings Research Park

Best For: Defense contractors who work at both Redstone and Research Park. Tech professionals.

Pros

  • Central to defense employers
  • Good schools (Grissom, Huntsville High zone)
  • Established neighborhoods with character
  • Good shopping and dining nearby
  • Easy access to I-565

Cons

  • Some older homes need updating
  • Traffic on Memorial Parkway
  • Varies by specific subdivision
  • Some areas zoned for less desirable schools

School District Quick Reference

District Coverage Areas Rating Notable Schools Notes
Madison City Schools City of Madison A+ James Clemens HS, Bob Jones HS Consistently ranked #1-2 in Alabama
Huntsville City Schools Huntsville proper A-/B+ Grissom HS, Huntsville HS, Hampton Cove Elem. Varies significantly by zone; magnet programs available
Madison County Schools Unincorporated Madison County B+ Sparkman HS, Hazel Green HS Improving rapidly; good value areas

*Always verify school zones before purchasing. Boundaries change and some subdivisions are zoned differently than expected.

Commute Routes to Redstone Arsenal

From Primary Route Best Gate Rush Hour Time Off-Peak Time
Hampton Cove US-431 South Gate 9 (Martin Rd) 15-20 min 10-12 min
Madison I-565 East to Rideout Rd Gate 1 (Rideout Rd) 25-35 min 18-22 min
Downtown Huntsville Memorial Pkwy South to Patton Rd Gate 7 (Patton Rd) 20-25 min 12-15 min
Owens Cross Roads US-431 North Gate 9 (Martin Rd) 8-12 min 5-8 min
Research Park Research Park Blvd to I-565 or Patton Gate 7 or 1 15-20 min 10-12 min
Meridianville/Harvest US-231 South to I-565 Gate 1 (Rideout Rd) 30-40 min 22-28 min
Monte Sano Bankhead Pkwy to Memorial Pkwy Gate 7 (Patton Rd) 25-30 min 18-22 min
Pro Tip: Gate lines are shortest 6:00-6:30 AM and after 8:30 AM. Consider flexible hours if your program allows it.

Cost of Living Snapshot by Area

Area Property Tax
(per $100K value)		 Typical HOA Utilities
(Monthly Avg)		 Overall Cost
Hampton Cove $400-500 $50-150/mo $200-300 $$$$
Madison $450-550 $30-100/mo $180-280 $$$
Downtown Huntsville $500-600 $100-300/mo (condos) $150-250 $$$
Owens Cross Roads $350-450 $0-50/mo $200-300 $$
Meridianville/Harvest $350-400 $0-50/mo $180-280 $$
Research Park $450-550 $0-75/mo $180-280 $$$
Monte Sano $500-600 $0-100/mo $250-400 $$$$

Your Neighborhood Decision Worksheet

Rank these factors 1-5 based on importance to you (1 = not important, 5 = essential):

Factor Your Priority
(1-5)		 Your Notes
Short commute to Redstone
Top-rated schools
New construction home
Walkability / urban lifestyle
Large lot / land / privacy
Restaurants / nightlife nearby
Lower home prices
Low HOA fees / no HOA
Community amenities (pool, gym)
Nature / outdoor recreation

Based on Your Priorities:

My top 3 neighborhoods to explore:

# Neighborhood Why it fits my priorities
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2
3