Alabama to Utah Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,862 mile interstate move from Alabama to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Fry Sauce), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Fried Catfish, but get your taste buds ready for Fry Sauce & Utah Scones
- Utah housing costs are 130% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Utah is 14.25% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Utah will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Utah movers is 801 Moving Company
Alabama vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Fry Sauce |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Catfish | Utah Scones |
Most popular street food item | Shrimp Grits | Pastrami Burger |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Stew | Avocado Toast |
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 Utah, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Alabama for the equally delicious Fry Sauce of Utah. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Fried Catfish and sumptuous Shrimp Grits, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones and Pastrami Burger 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 Avocado Toast of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Sawβs BBQ, and Big Bad Breakfast. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, Log Haven, and Valterβs Osteria.
When comparing lifestyles, Utah shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Utah compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Utah.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Utah
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Garages | Mountain Views, Eco-friendly Features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Modern architecture typical of Utah.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and eco-friendly elements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Utah is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Utah is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Utah has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Utah housing costs are 130% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Utah is 14.25% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Utah
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
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, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Variable, Seasonally Affected |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 100Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 37Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 inches | 20 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 inches | 60 inches |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Utah. Utah gets 13% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Utah 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Utah.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 10 degrees warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 38 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Utah
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $89,168 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.75 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.42% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.14% | 7.19% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture | Technology, Mining, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 49% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Utah will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in UT is 4.95% compared to 2% - 5% in AL
- The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alabama and low in Utah
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Utah
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservatively inclined | Conservative, with a strong Republican presence |
Local Politics | Strong focus on state-level issues | Local politics significantly influenced by the LDS Church |
Religion | Baptist and other Christian denominations prevalent | Majority LDS (Mormon) population |
- Alabama tends to lean conservatively inclined in its political climate
- Utah, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with a strong Republican presence
- Utah's religious environment can be described as having a majority LDS (Mormon) population
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Baptist and other prevalent Christian denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Utah
Comparison | Alabama | Utah |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Utah Brigham Young University Utah State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greystone Elementary School (Hoover) Mt Laurel Elementary School (Birmingham) Rock Quarry Elementary School (Tuscaloosa) | Dilworth Elementary School (Salt Lake City) Ensign Elementary School (Salt Lake City) Oakridge Elementary School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Simmons Middle School (Hoover) Berry Middle School (Hoover) | Centennial Middle School (Provo) South Jordan Middle School (South Jordan) Indian Hills Middle School (Sandy) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | Itineris Early College High School (West Jordan) Corner Canyon High School (Draper) Skyline High School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City) Waterford School (Sandy) Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools | Park City School District Davis School District Canyons School District |
How Much Do Alabama to Utah Movers Cost?
Moving 1,862 miles from Alabama to Utah will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,258 | 300 ft3 | $7.53 |
1 Bedroom | $3,365 | 450 ft3 | $7.48 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,570 | 750 ft3 | $7.43 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,115 | 1100 ft3 | $7.38 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,723 | 1600 ft3 | $7.33 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,099 | 1800 ft3 | $7.28 |
Top Alabama to Utah Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Utah movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.