Alabama to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 737 mile interstate move from Alabama to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like BBQ Pulled Pork vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs prairie, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Pulled Pork and Fried Catfish, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & Smoked Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 10% less expensive than those in Alabama
- Rent in Oklahoma is 13.85% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Oklahoma will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Oklahoma movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Oklahoma
- Humid summers
- Limited job market
- Hurricane risk
- Rural isolation
- Restricted nightlife
- Cooler climate
- Growing economy
- Less natural disasters
- Urban development
- Vibrant city life
- Less historical culture
- Fewer local dishes
- Higher expenses
- Less community cohesion
- Landlocked state
- Rich history
- Southern cuisine
- Low cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Coastal access
Pros of moving from Alabama to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oklahoma with a growing economy
- Swap the hurricane risk of Alabama for fewer natural disasters in Oklahoma
- Get ready for urban development in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from Alabama to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich history in Alabama to live with less historical culture in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of Southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer local dishes
- Time to bid farewell to a low cost of living and get used to higher expenses in Oklahoma
- Swap friendly communities for less community cohesion
Alabama vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Pulled Pork | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Catfish | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Gourmet Hot Dogs | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Fried Okra |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Pulled Pork of Alabama for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Fried Catfish and sumptuous Gourmet Hot Dogs, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Okra of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Saw's BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Joe's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oklahoma compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Oklahoma
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Prairie, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic charm | Community amenities, storm shelters |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Ranch architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and historic charm, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like community amenities and storm shelters.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oklahoma is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oklahoma is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Oklahoma has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 10% less expensive than those in Alabama, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 13.85% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Oklahoma
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Hail |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 94Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 56" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2" | 10" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 10% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Oklahoma has lower 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 tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 4 degrees warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows in Oklahoma are 6 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Oklahoma
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22% | 8.97% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Aerospace, Technology | Energy, Agriculture, Aviation |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Significant |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 0% less than in Alabama
- The COLI in Oklahoma will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Alabama
- There's no change in state income tax between Alabama and Oklahoma
- The affluence in Oklahoma is moderate compared to moderate in Alabama
- The poverty level is significant in Oklahoma compared to significant in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Alabama and manageable in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, strong Republican presence | Conservative, predominantly Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by county, with some Democratic strongholds | Generally conservative across counties |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian, strong Baptist presence(source) | Highly religious, predominantly Christian, diverse denominations<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">(source)</a> |
- Alabama tends to lean conservative with a strong Republican presence in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and predominantly Republican
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian with diverse denominations <a href="https://oklahoma.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">(source)</a>
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian with a strong Baptist presence (source)
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Oklahoma
Comparison | Alabama | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mountain Brook Elementary - Mountain Brook Crestline Elementary - Mountain Brook Forest Avenue Academic Magnet - Montgomery | Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa Chisholm Elementary School - Edmond Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Homewood Middle School - Homewood Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills Berry Middle School - Hoover | Whittier Middle School - Norman Central Middle School - Edmond Harding Charter Preparatory HS - Oklahoma City |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School - Montgomery Mountain Brook High School - Mountain Brook Bob Jones High School - Madison | Booker T. Washington High School - Tulsa Edmond North High School - Edmond Norman North High School - Norman |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School - Birmingham Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Saint James School - Montgomery | Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Bishop Kelley High School - Tulsa |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Advent Episcopal School - Birmingham The Montgomery Academy - Montgomery Altamont School - Birmingham | Crossings Christian School - Oklahoma City Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Lincoln Christian School - Tulsa |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Homewood City Schools | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 737 miles from Alabama to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,620 | 300 ft3 | $5.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,408 | 450 ft3 | $5.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,976 | 750 ft3 | $5.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,776 | 1100 ft3 | $5.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,322 | 1600 ft3 | $5.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,272 | 1800 ft3 | $5.15 |
Top Alabama to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.