Alabama to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 931 mile interstate move from Alabama to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Alabama BBQ vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (antebellum, ranch vs prairie, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Alabama BBQ and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Wisconsin is 15.18% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Alabama to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Wisconsin
- Hot summers
- Humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Limited winter sports
- Cooler summers
- Less humidity
- Limited weather threats
- Abundant winter activities
- Different food culture
- No nearby beaches
- Comparatively higher
- Longer, colder winters
- Southern cuisine
- Beach access
- Cost of living
- Mild winters
Pros of moving from Alabama to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from humidity and moving to Wisconsin with less humidity
- Swap the hurricane risk of Alabama for limited weather threats in Wisconsin
- Get ready for abundant winter activities in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Alabama to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern cuisine in Alabama to live with a different food culture in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of no nearby beaches
- Time to bid farewell to the cost of living and get used to the comparatively higher costs in Wisconsin
- Swap mild winters for longer and colder winters
Alabama vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Alabama BBQ | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Fried Catfish | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Beer-battered Cauliflower |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Alabama BBQ of Alabama for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Fried Catfish, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Cauliflower of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, The Old Fashioned, and Culver's.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Ranch | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Lakefront, Proximity to nature |
- The Antebellum and Ranch architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront access and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Wisconsin is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 15.18% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Cold Waves |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 inches | 32 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 inches | 48 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Wisconsin has similar 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 snowstorms and cold waves in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 8 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 26 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.40% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Chemical, Finance | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 19% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 5% in AL
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to high in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alabama and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Swing State, Mix of Democratic and Republican |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on state rights | Focus on local governance and community initiatives |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Less religiously homogeneous, diverse religious communities |
- Alabama tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, a mix of Democratic and Republican
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as less religiously homogeneous with diverse religious communities
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Wisconsin
Comparison | Alabama | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Brookwood Forest Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) | Swan School (Madison) Lakeview Elementary (Neenah) Roosevelt Elementary (Kenosha) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Louis Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | Madison West High School (Madison) Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Waunakee) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Randolph School (Huntsville) The Montgomery Academy (Montgomery) Springwood School (Lanett) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools | Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Elmbrook School District Shorewood School District |
How Much Do Alabama to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 931 miles from Alabama to Wisconsin 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: 2-16 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,730 | 300 ft3 | $5.77 |
1 Bedroom | $2,573 | 450 ft3 | $5.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,251 | 750 ft3 | $5.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,179 | 1100 ft3 | $5.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,908 | 1600 ft3 | $5.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,932 | 1800 ft3 | $5.52 |
Top Alabama to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.