Alabama to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 451 mile interstate move from Alabama to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs more mild climate), food & health (like Alabama BBQ vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Alabama BBQ and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Arkansas is 10.72% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Alabama to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Arkansas
- Humid summers
- Lesser job market
- Limited public transport
- Fewer recreational areas
- More mild climate
- Growing industries
- Better transit options
- Abundant parks & trails
- Less familiar culture
- Fewer historic sites
- Varied living costs
- Different food options
- Southern hospitality
- Rich history
- Affordable living
- Regional cuisine
Pros of moving from Alabama to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to a more mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from a lesser job market and moving to Arkansas with growing industries
- Swap the limited public transport of Alabama for better transit options in Arkansas
- Get ready for abundant parks and trails in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Alabama to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Alabama to live with a less familiar culture in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historic sites
- Time to bid farewell to affordable living and get used to varied living costs in Arkansas
- Swap regional cuisine for different food options
Alabama vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Alabama BBQ | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Shrimp Po' Boys | Barbecue Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Black Bean Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Alabama BBQ of Alabama for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Shrimp Po' Boys, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Barbecue Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, The Bright Star, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Root Cafe, and Sims Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Arkansas
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to schools | Nearby parks, waterfront properties |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like nearby parks and waterfront properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes, as Arkansas is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike, because Arkansas is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Arkansas has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Arkansas housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Arkansas is 10.72% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Arkansas
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 92Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 2% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Arkansas has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama and be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 2 degrees warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arkansas as it receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Arkansas
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.40% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22% | 9.53% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Government, Retail Trade | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail Trade |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Widespread | Common |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Evident |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 7% less than in Alabama
- The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in AR is 5.9% compared to 5% in AL
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is common in Arkansas compared to widespread poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Alabama and evident in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated | Republican-leaning |
Religion | Protestant, Evangelical | Protestant, Evangelical |
- Alabama tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as Protestant and Evangelical
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Evangelical
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Arkansas
Comparison | Alabama | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Heritage Elementary School - Madison Greystone Elementary School - Hoover Rock Quarry Elementary School - Tuscaloosa | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary School - Fayetteville Forest Park Elementary School - Little Rock |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills Mountain Brook Junior High School - Mountain Brook Berry Middle School - Hoover | Lisa Academy North Middle School - Sherwood Haas Hall Academy - Bentonville LISA Academy West Middle School - Little Rock |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School - Montgomery Mountain Brook High School - Mountain Brook Homewood High School - Homewood | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts - Hot Springs Little Rock Central High School - Little Rock |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School - Birmingham Randolph School - Huntsville Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Village | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Huntsville Achievement School - Huntsville St. Paul's Episcopal School - Mobile | Trinity Christian School - Texarkana Subiaco Academy - Subiaco Lutheran High School - Little Rock |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools - Mountain Brook Homewood City Schools - Homewood Vestavia Hills City Schools - Vestavia Hills | Bentonville School District - Bentonville Fayetteville Public Schools - Fayetteville Lisa Academy School District - Little Rock |
How Much Do Alabama to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 451 miles from Alabama to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-20 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,458 | 300 ft3 | $4.86 |
1 Bedroom | $2,165 | 450 ft3 | $4.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,570 | 750 ft3 | $4.76 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,182 | 1100 ft3 | $4.71 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,457 | 1600 ft3 | $4.66 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,299 | 1800 ft3 | $4.61 |
Top Alabama to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.