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Alabama to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 1,215 mile interstate move from Alabama to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Barbecue (particularly pork) vs Bagels), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs colonial, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Barbecue (particularly pork) and Fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels & Beef steak
  • New York housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in Alabama
  • Rent in New York is 69.51% more expensive than in Alabama
  • Moving from Alabama to New York will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Alabama to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Alabama to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to New York

ConsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Lack of public transport
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Limited shopping options
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Extensive subway system
  • Milder city summers
  • World-class retail outlets

New York iconNew York
  • High living expenses
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Constant city noise
  • Heavy traffic jams
  • Limited green areas
Alabama iconAlabama
  • Lower living cost
  • Close-knit communities
  • Quieter atmosphere
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Abundant open spaces

Pros of moving from Alabama to New York

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to New York with a vibrant cultural scene
  • Swap the lack of public transport in Alabama for an extensive subway system in New York
  • Get ready for milder city summers in New York

Cons of moving from Alabama to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower living cost in Alabama to live with high living expenses in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of a fast-paced lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to a quieter atmosphere and get used to constant city noise in New York
  • Swap less traffic congestion for heavy traffic jams

Alabama vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
Most iconic local food itemBarbecue (particularly pork)Bagels
Most popular meat dishFried chickenBeef steak
Most popular street food itemGourmet hot dogsPizza slices
Most popular vegan foodOkra stewVegan bagels
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Dreamland Bar-B-Que
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
  • Per Se
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 New York, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue (particularly pork) of Alabama for the equally delicious Bagels of New York. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Gourmet Hot Dogs, New York residents know they have tasty Beef Steak and Pizza Slices 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 Vegan Bagels of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Dreamland Bar-B-Que, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and New York

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, CraftsmanColonial, Modern
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, garagesProximity to public transit, rooftop access
  • The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and rooftop access.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Alabama.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
  • New York housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Alabama’s $226,045.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
  • Rent in New York is 69.51% more expensive than in Alabama.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and New York

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
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, HurricanesBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVaries (Urban vs Rural)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)57Β°F / 36Β°F33Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)58 inches42 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1 inch25 inches
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to New York. New York gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
  • New York has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in New York.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 5 degrees colder than in Alabama.
  • The average winter lows in New York are 18 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New York. New York receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and New York

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
Avg. Household Income$59,674$79,557
Cost of Living Index91.2102.8
State Income Tax5.0%8.82%
Avg. Property Tax0.41%1.68%
Avg. Sales Tax9.22%8.52%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Automotive, FinanceFinance, Real Estate, Professional Services
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 33% more than those in Alabama
  • The COLI in New York will be 13% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
  • The state income tax in NY is 8.82% compared to 5.0% in AL
  • The affluence in New York is high compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
  • The poverty level is low in New York compared to moderate poverty in Alabama
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alabama and moderate in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. New York

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
Political Make-upConservative majorityLiberal majority
Local PoliticsRepublican-led state governmentDemocratic-led state government
ReligionHigher prevalence of Evangelical ProtestantMore religiously diverse, with a significant Catholic population
  • Alabama tends to lean conservative majority in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as liberal majority
  • New York's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse with a significant Catholic population
  • Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a higher prevalence of Evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to New York

ComparisonAlabamaNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
New York University
Columbia University
University of Buffalo
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Crestline Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Heritage Elementary (Madison)
PS 334 The Anderson School (New York)
PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York)
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook)
Louis Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Junior High School 190 Russell Sage (Queens)
I.S. 187 The Christa McAuliffe School (Brooklyn)
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx)
Top 3 High School SchoolsLoveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills)
Stuyvesant High School (New York)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
The Brearley School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRandolph School (Huntsville)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
Trinity School (New York)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Riverdale Country School (Bronx)
Top 3 School DistrictsMountain Brook City Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Madison City Schools
Great Neck Public Schools
Jericho Union Free School District
Scarsdale Union Free School District

How Much Do Alabama to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 1,215 miles from Alabama to New York 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,891300 ft3$6.30
1 Bedroom$2,814450 ft3$6.25
2 Bedrooms$4,653750 ft3$6.20
3 Bedrooms$6,7701100 ft3$6.15
4 Bedrooms$9,7671600 ft3$6.10
5+ Bedrooms$10,8981800 ft3$6.05

Top Alabama to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Alabama to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Alabama to New York Routes

Birmingham to New York

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