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Alabama to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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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

ConsAlabama iconAlabama
  • High humidity
  • Limited public transport
  • Fewer cultural venues
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Milder climate
  • Extensive metro systems
  • Rich historical sites

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Higher cost of living
  • Stricter regulations
  • Less sunny days
Alabama iconAlabama
  • 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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
Most iconic local food itemBarbecue RibsBlue Crabs
Most popular meat dishPulled PorkHam - Smithfield
Most popular street food itemCatfishFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Restaurant Eve
  • The Shack
  • 2941 Restaurant
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 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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, CraftsmanColonial, Cape Cod
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 lots, privacyAccessibility, 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 Alabama’s $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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesHurricanes, Snowstorms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 72Β°F87Β°F / 67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)57Β°F / 36Β°F48Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)58 inches44 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2 inches22 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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
Avg. Household Income$59,674$85,873
Cost of Living Index91.296.6
State Income Tax2% - 5%2% - 5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.41%0.80%
Avg. Sales Tax4%5.3% - 7%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, AerospaceTechnology, Government, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyPrevalentLess Common
HomelessnessModerateLess 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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
Political Make-upConservativeModerately Conservative/Liberal
Local PoliticsStrong Republican InfluenceMixed Republican and Democratic Influence
ReligionHighly Religious, Predominantly ChristianDiverse 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

ComparisonAlabamaVirginia
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 SchoolsGreystone 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 SchoolsMountain 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 SchoolsLoveless 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsMountain 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,582300 ft3$5.27
1 Bedroom$2,350450 ft3$5.22
2 Bedrooms$3,879750 ft3$5.17
3 Bedrooms$5,6351100 ft3$5.12
4 Bedrooms$8,1161600 ft3$5.07
5+ Bedrooms$9,0411800 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.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Alabama to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Alabama to Virginia Routes

Birmingham to Virginia

Huntsville to Virginia

Montgomery to Virginia

Mobile to Virginia