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Alabama to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 567 mile interstate move from Alabama to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs sunny beaches), food & health (like Barbecue ribs vs Key lime pie), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial vs spanish, mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Barbecue ribs and Pulled pork, but get your taste buds ready for Key lime pie & Cuban sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Alabama
  • Rent in Florida is 50.93% more expensive than in Alabama
  • Moving from Alabama to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Alabama to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Alabama to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Florida

ConsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Humidity
  • Lack of coastline
  • Limited theme parks
  • Fewer job opportunities
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Sunny beaches
  • Warm winters
  • Vibrant tourism
  • Growing economy

Florida iconFlorida
  • Higher cost of living
  • Frequent hurricanes
  • High humidity
  • Tourist congestion
Alabama iconAlabama
  • Southern hospitality
  • Quaint small towns
  • Rich history
  • Lower traffic

Pros of moving from Alabama to Florida

  • Say goodbye to humidity and hello to sunny beaches
  • Look forward to moving away from the lack of coastline and moving to Florida with warm winters
  • Swap the limited theme parks of Alabama for vibrant tourism in Florida
  • Get ready for a growing economy in Florida

Cons of moving from Alabama to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Alabama to live with a higher cost of living in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of quaint small towns and have to settle for the con of frequent hurricanes
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to high humidity in Florida
  • Swap lower traffic for tourist congestion

Alabama vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemBarbecue ribsKey lime pie
Most popular meat dishPulled porkCuban sandwich
Most popular street food itemHot ChickenEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodBlack-eyed pea hummusMango avocado salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Saw's BBQ
  • Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern's Steak House
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Alabama to Florida, you will be trading the iconic barbecue ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious Key lime pie of Florida. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful pulled pork and sumptuous hot chicken, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban sandwiches and empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black-eyed pea hummus they've grown to love, they can get ready for the mango avocado salad of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Saw's BBQ, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.

When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Florida

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, ColonialSpanish, Mediterranean
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge Yards, PrivacyWaterfront, Pools
  • The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront properties and pools.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Florida is more walkable than Alabama.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Florida is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
  • Florida has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
  • Florida housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Alabama’s $226,045.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
  • Rent in Florida is 50.93% more expensive than in Alabama.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Florida

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, HurricanesHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 72Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)57Β°F / 36Β°F70Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5854
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Florida. Florida gets 11% more sunshine days than Alabama.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alabama.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
  • The average summer high temperature in Florida is 1 degree warmer than in Alabama.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Alabama.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Florida. Florida receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Florida

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$59,674$69,303
Cost of Living Index91.297.8
State Income Tax5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.41%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax9%7.05%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Education, HealthcareTourism, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 16% more than in Alabama
  • The COLI in Florida is 7% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
  • Hooray, moving to Florida means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is high compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
  • The poverty level is low in Florida compared to moderate poverty in Alabama
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alabama and moderate in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Florida

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Political Make-upTraditionally ConservativeSwing State
Local PoliticsRepublican-controlled State LegislatureMixed control of local politics
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianDiverse religious landscape
  • Alabama tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
  • Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Florida

ComparisonAlabamaFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of South Alabama
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsGreystone Elementary School (Hoover)
Mt Laurel Elementary School (Birmingham)
Legacy Elementary School (Madison)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
North Beach Elementary School (Miami Beach)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDiscovery Middle School (Madison)
Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Berry Middle School (Hoover)
Bob Graham Education Center (Miami Lakes)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Falcon Cove Middle School (Weston)
Top 3 High School SchoolsLoveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills)
Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Montgomery Academy (Montgomery)
Saint James School (Montgomery)
Tuscaloosa Academy (Tuscaloosa)
Gulliver Preparatory School (Pinecrest)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa)
Top 3 School DistrictsMountain Brook City Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Madison City Schools
St. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District

How Much Do Alabama to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 567 miles from Alabama to Florida will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,524300 ft3$5.08
1 Bedroom$2,263450 ft3$5.03
2 Bedrooms$3,735750 ft3$4.98
3 Bedrooms$5,4231100 ft3$4.93
4 Bedrooms$7,8081600 ft3$4.88
5+ Bedrooms$8,6941800 ft3$4.83

Top Alabama to Florida Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Alabama to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details