Alabama to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 2,025 mile interstate move from Alabama to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity and heat vs cooler summers), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Buffalo Steak), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs ranch, mountain rustic), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Buffalo Steak & Elk Burger
- Montana housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Montana is 4.39% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Alabama to Montana movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Montana
- Humidity and heat
- Limited outdoor activities
- Dense population
- High pollen levels
- Hurricane risk
- Cooler summers
- Abundant outdoor recreation
- Sparse, open spaces
- Clearer air quality
- Minimal natural disasters
- Fewer dining options
- Long, harsh winters
- Limited cultural events
- No coastal access
- Higher cost of living
- Southern cuisine
- Warm winters
- Music and arts scene
- Proximity to beaches
- Lower cost of living
Pros of moving from Alabama to Montana
- Say goodbye to humidity and heat and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Montana with abundant outdoor recreation
- Swap the dense population of Alabama for sparse open spaces in Montana
- Get ready for clearer air quality in Montana
Cons of moving from Alabama to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern cuisine in Alabama to live with fewer dining options in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of warm winters and have to settle for the con of long harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to the music and arts scene and get used to limited cultural events in Montana
- Swap proximity to beaches for no coastal access
Alabama vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Buffalo Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Elk Burger |
Most popular street food item | Shrimp and Grits | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Okra gumbo | Lentil Chili |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious Buffalo Steak of Montana. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Shrimp and Grits, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk Burger and Huckleberry Pie 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 Lentil Chili of Montana. 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 Hot and Hot Fish Club. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Kettle House, Ciao Mambo, and The Burning Stove.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Montana
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Ranch, Mountain Rustic |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Hardwood floors | Mountain views, Proximity to nature |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Mountain Rustic architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and hardwood floors, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Alabama.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Montana housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased 71% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Montana is 4.39% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Montana
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 35Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58" | 15" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2" | 90" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Montana. Montana gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Montana 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 wildfires and floods in Montana.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 43 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Montana
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 2-5% | No state income tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.24% | 0-1% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Aerospace, Agriculture | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Higher | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 13% more than those in Alabama
- The COLI in Montana will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in MT is no state income tax compared to 2-5% in AL
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is lower in Montana compared to higher levels in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alabama and lower in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Montana
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | More Partisan | Less Partisan |
Religion | Highly Religious | Moderately Religious |
- Alabama tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Conservative
- Montana's religious environment can be described as moderately religious
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Montana
Comparison | Alabama | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | University of Montana Montana State University Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greystone Elementary (Hoover) Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary East (Vestavia Hills) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Simmons Middle School (Hoover) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Washington Middle School (Missoula) East Middle School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High (Vestavia Hills) | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Sentinel High School (Missoula) Great Falls High School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Randolph School (Huntsville) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) | Missoula International School (Missoula) Helena Christian School (East Helena) Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Advent Episcopal School (Birmingham) The Donoho School (Anniston) Escambia Academy (Atmore) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) Helena Christian School (East Helena) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools | Bozeman Public Schools Helena School District Missoula County Public Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 2,025 miles from Alabama to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,351 | 300 ft3 | $7.84 |
1 Bedroom | $3,503 | 450 ft3 | $7.79 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,801 | 750 ft3 | $7.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,454 | 1100 ft3 | $7.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,216 | 1600 ft3 | $7.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,653 | 1800 ft3 | $7.59 |
Top Alabama to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.