Alabama to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 669 mile interstate move from Alabama to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder climate), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Blue Crabs), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Blue Crabs & Ham - Smithfield
- Virginia housing costs are 71% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Virginia is 24.17% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Alabama to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Alabama to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Virginia
- High humidity
- Limited public transport
- Fewer cultural venues
- Milder climate
- Extensive metro systems
- Rich historical sites
- Higher cost of living
- Stricter regulations
- Less sunny days
- Southern hospitality
- Lower property taxes
- Year-round sunshine
Pros of moving from Alabama to Virginia
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Virginia with extensive metro systems
- Swap the fewer cultural venues of Alabama for rich historical sites in Virginia
Cons of moving from Alabama to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Alabama to live with a higher cost of living in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower property taxes and have to settle for the con of stricter regulations
- Time to bid farewell to year-round sunshine and get used to less sunny days in Virginia
Alabama vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Blue Crabs |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Ham - Smithfield |
Most popular street food item | Catfish | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious Blue Crabs of Virginia. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Catfish, Virginia residents know they have tasty Ham - Smithfield and Food Truck 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 BBQ Jackfruit of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Saw's Soul Kitchen, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Hot and Hot Fish Club. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Restaurant Eve, The Shack, and 2941 Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Virginia
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, privacy | Accessibility, community amenities |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and privacy, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like accessibility and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Virginia housing costs are 71% more expensive than they are in Alabama with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Virginia is 24.17% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Virginia
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 48Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 inches | 44 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 inches | 22 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Virginia. Virginia gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Virginia 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 hurricanes and snowstorms in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 3 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Virginia
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5% | 2% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 5.3% - 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Aerospace | Technology, Government, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Prevalent | Less Common |
Homelessness | Moderate | Less Common |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 44% more than those in Alabama
- The COLI in Virginia will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in VA is 2% - 5.75% compared to 2% - 5% in AL
- The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate in Alabama
- The poverty level is less common in Virginia compared to prevalent in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alabama and less common in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Virginia
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderately Conservative/Liberal |
Local Politics | Strong Republican Influence | Mixed Republican and Democratic Influence |
Religion | Highly Religious, Predominantly Christian | Diverse Religious Affiliations |
- Alabama tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as moderately conservative/liberal
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as diverse religious affiliations
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Virginia
Comparison | Alabama | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Virginia Virginia Tech William & Mary |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greystone Elementary School (Hoover) Madison Elementary School (Madison) Mt Laurel Elementary School (Birmingham) | Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High School (Mountain Brook) Berry Middle School (Hoover) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) Cooper Middle School (McLean) |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) Langley High School (McLean) McLean High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | The Madeira School (McLean) St. Christopher's School (Richmond) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Montgomery Academy (Montgomery) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) | Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) Norfolk Academy (Norfolk) The Potomac School (McLean) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Homewood City Schools | Falls Church City Public Schools Arlington Public Schools Fairfax County Public Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 669 miles from Alabama to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,582 | 300 ft3 | $5.27 |
1 Bedroom | $2,350 | 450 ft3 | $5.22 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,879 | 750 ft3 | $5.17 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,635 | 1100 ft3 | $5.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,116 | 1600 ft3 | $5.07 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,041 | 1800 ft3 | $5.02 |
Top Alabama to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.