Alabama to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,261 mile interstate move from Alabama to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild summers), food & health (like Barbecue vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 171% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Massachusetts is 72.24% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Massachusetts will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Alabama to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Massachusetts
- Hot summers
- Limited public transport
- Less diverse food options
- Fewer cultural events
- Mild summers
- Robust public transport
- Vibrant culinary scene
- Rich cultural calendar
- Higher cost of living
- Fast-paced environment
- Harsh winters
- Less personal connections
- Lower cost of living
- Simpler lifestyle
- Mild winters
- Friendly community
Pros of moving from Alabama to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to mild summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Massachusetts with robust public transport
- Swap the less diverse food options of Alabama for a vibrant culinary scene in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a rich cultural calendar in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Alabama to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Alabama to live with a higher cost of living in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a simpler lifestyle and have to settle for the con of a fast-paced environment
- Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to harsh winters in Massachusetts
- Swap a friendly community for less personal connections
Alabama vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh Sausage | Cannoli |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Stew | Quinoa Salad |
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue of Alabama for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Conecuh Sausage, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Cannoli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and The Southern Kitchen and Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, and Neptune Oyster.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Lots, Privacy | Proximity to Public Transit, Energy Efficiency |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and privacy, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 171% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased 46% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 72.24% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 82Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 37Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 8 degrees colder than Alabama.
- The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 14 degrees colder than those in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5.1% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.24% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Technology, Education, Health Care |
Affluence | Moderate | Significant |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Notable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 58% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 33% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in MA is 5.1% compared to 5% in AL
- The affluence in Massachusetts is significant compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to high in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alabama and notable in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Strong Republican Presence | Strong Democratic Presence |
Religion | Evangelical Christian Dominance | Diverse; Less Religious Overall |
- Alabama tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as diverse and less religious overall
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Christian dominance
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Massachusetts
Comparison | Alabama | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rock Quarry Elementary (Tuscaloosa) Heritage Elementary (Madison) Greystone Elementary (Birmingham) | Brackett Elementary (Arlington) Ambrose Elementary (Winchester) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Liberty Park Middle (Vestavia Hills) Mountain Brook Jr. High (Mountain Brook) Discovery Middle (Madison) | Williams Middle (Longmeadow) Pollard Middle (Needham) Jonas Clarke Middle (Lexington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook) Bob Jones High (Madison) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High (Lexington) Brookline High (Brookline) |
Top 3 Private High Schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Springwood School (Lanett) Tuscaloosa Academy (Tuscaloosa) The Donoho School (Anniston) | Belmont Hill School (Belmont) The Winsor School (Boston) Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Homewood City Madison City | Newton Public Schools Lexington Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 1,261 miles from Alabama to Massachusetts will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,917 | 300 ft3 | $6.39 |
1 Bedroom | $2,854 | 450 ft3 | $6.34 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,718 | 750 ft3 | $6.29 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,865 | 1100 ft3 | $6.24 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,906 | 1600 ft3 | $6.19 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,054 | 1800 ft3 | $6.14 |
Top Alabama to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Alabama to Massachusetts