Alabama to Mississippi Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 158 mile interstate move from Alabama to Mississippi? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Mississippi across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs mild winters), food & health (like Barbecue ribs vs Catfish), real estate & housing (antebellum and colonial revival vs craftsman and colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue ribs and Pulled pork, but get your taste buds ready for Catfish & Fried chicken
- Mississippi housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Mississippi is 7.12% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Mississippi will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Alabama to Mississippi movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Mississippi Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Mississippi
- Hot, humid summers
- Traffic congestion
- Limited job growth
- Hurricane risks
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- Strong community focus
- Rich cultural history
- Fewer urban centers
- Lack of public transit
- Lower median income
- High humidity
- Diverse industries
- Beautiful landscapes
- Vibrant arts scene
- Southern cuisine
Pros of moving from Alabama to Mississippi
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Mississippi with a lower cost of living
- Swap the limited job growth of Alabama for a strong community focus in Mississippi
- Get ready for a rich cultural history in Mississippi
Cons of moving from Alabama to Mississippi
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse industries in Alabama to live with fewer urban centers in Mississippi
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful landscapes and have to settle for the con of a lack of public transit
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant arts scene and get used to a lower median income in Mississippi
- Swap southern cuisine for high humidity
Alabama vs. Mississippi: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue ribs | Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled pork | Fried chicken |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh sausage | Tamales |
Most popular vegan food | Fried green tomatoes | Black-eyed pea hummus |
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 Mississippi, you will be trading the iconic barbecue ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious catfish of Mississippi. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful pulled pork and sumptuous Conecuh sausage, Mississippi residents know they have tasty fried chicken and tamales to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the fried green tomatoes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the black-eyed pea hummus of Mississippi. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Highlands Bar & Grill, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, and The Bright Star. After the boxes are unpacked in Mississippi, don't wait too long before making your way to Mississippi's acclaimed eateries like The Mayflower CafΓ©, Walker's Drive-In, and Bully's Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Mississippi shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Mississippi, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Mississippi.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Mississippi
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum and Colonial Revival | Craftsman and Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, outdoor living spaces | Energy efficiency, large plots |
- The Antebellum and Colonial Revival architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture typical of Mississippi.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and outdoor living spaces, Mississippi real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and large plots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Mississippi is less walkable than Alabama.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Mississippi is less bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Mississippi has less of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Mississippi housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $178,490 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Mississippi have increased by 31% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Mississippi is 7.12% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Mississippi
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 58Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58" | 59" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | <1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Mississippi. Mississippi gets 2% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Mississippi has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi.
- The average summer high temperature in Mississippi is 1 degree warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Mississippi. Mississippi receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Mississippi
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $52,719 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 92.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.40 | 0.80 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22 | 7.07 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Real Estate, Healthcare | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Mississippi tend to earn about 12% less than those in Alabama
- The COLI in Mississippi will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- There's no change in state income tax between Alabama and Mississippi
- The affluence in Mississippi is modest compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is high in Mississippi compared to moderate poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alabama and low in Mississippi
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Mississippi
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally conservative | Conservatively inclined |
Local Politics | Republican strongholds, with Democratic minorities in urban areas | Republican dominance, with occasional Democratic successes in certain locales |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian (Protestant) | Very religious, predominantly Christian, Baptist majority |
- Alabama tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
- Mississippi, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively inclined
- Mississippi's religious environment can be described as very religious and predominantly Christian with a Baptist majority
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian (Protestant)
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Mississippi
Comparison | Alabama | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | Mississippi State University University of Mississippi University of Southern Mississippi |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Heritage Elementary School Madison; Mt Laurel Elementary School Birmingham; Forest Avenue Academic Magnet Montgomery | Mannsdale Elementary School Madison; Northshore Elementary Brandon; Eastside Elementary Clinton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia Hills; Homewood Middle School Homewood; Berry Middle School Hoover | Northwest Rankin Middle School Flowood; Madison Middle School Madison; Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg |
Top 3 High School Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia Hills | Madison Central High School Madison; Biloxi High School Biloxi; Ocean Springs High School Ocean Springs |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs; Randolph School Huntsville | Jackson Preparatory School Jackson; Madison-Ridgeland Academy Madison; Presbyterian Christian School Hattiesburg |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Montgomery Academy Montgomery; The Donoho School Anniston; UMS-Wright Preparatory School Mobile | Jackson Academy Jackson; St. Andrew's Episcopal School Ridgeland; French Camp Academy French Camp |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Hoover City Schools Madison City Schools | Madison County Schools Clinton Public School District Ocean Springs School District |
How Much Do Alabama to Mississippi Movers Cost?
Moving 158 miles from Alabama to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,292 | 300 ft3 | $4.31 |
1 Bedroom | $1,916 | 450 ft3 | $4.26 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,155 | 750 ft3 | $4.21 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,573 | 1100 ft3 | $4.16 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,571 | 1600 ft3 | $4.11 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,302 | 1800 ft3 | $4.06 |
Top Alabama to Mississippi Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Mississippi movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.