Movers

Arkansas to Alabama Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 457 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Alabama Barbecue), real estate & housing (craftsman vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arkansas), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Smoked Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Alabama Barbecue & Pulled Pork
  • Alabama housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Alabama is 12.01% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Alabama movers is B2 Moving

Arkansas to Alabama Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Alabama

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Higher taxes
  • Limited job market
  • Extreme weather
ProsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Lower cost of living
  • Thriving industries
  • Milder climate

Alabama iconAlabama
  • Less scenic
  • Higher crime rates
  • More reserved locals
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Natural beauty
  • Low crime rates
  • Friendly communities

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Alabama

  • Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Alabama with thriving industries
  • Swap the extreme weather of Arkansas for a milder climate in Alabama

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Alabama

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Arkansas to live with less scenic views in Alabama
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
  • Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to more reserved locals in Alabama

Arkansas vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishAlabama Barbecue
Most popular meat dishSmoked SausagePulled Pork
Most popular street food itemFried PicklesShrimp Po'Boys
Most popular vegan foodTofu ScrambleBlack-Eyed Pea Hummus
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Barbecue & Fish
  • The Southern Gourmasian
  • Whole Hog Cafe
  • Saw’s BBQ
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
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 Arkansas to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Alabama Barbecue of Alabama. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Sausage and sumptuous Fried Pickles, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Shrimp Po'Boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Pea Hummus of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like Joe's Barbecue and Fish, The Southern Gourmasian, and Whole Hog Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw’s BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.

When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Alabama

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanColonial
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 Yards, GaragesHardwood Floors, Historic Details
  • The Craftsman architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Alabama.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and historic details.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alabama is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Alabama is similarly bike-friendly to Arkansas.
  • Alabama has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Alabama housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased 45% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in Alabama is 12.01% more expensive than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Alabama

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsHurricanes, tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood to moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 72Β°F91Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 30Β°F57Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"58"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4"1"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Alabama. Alabama gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
  • The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 1 degree warmer than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama, as Alabama receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Alabama

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
Avg. Household Income$55,432$59,674
Cost of Living Index90.591.2
State Income Tax6.6%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.64%0.42%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%9.22%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, RetailManufacturing, Education, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateAverage
PovertySignificantModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 8% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Alabama is 1% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in Alabama is 5% compared to 6.6% in Arkansas
  • The affluence in Alabama is average compared to moderate in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Alabama compared to significant in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and moderate in Alabama

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Alabama

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
Political Make-upLean ConservativeStrongly Conservative
Local PoliticsMix of both parties, with a conservative tilt in rural areasLargely conservative, especially in rural and suburban areas
ReligionProtestant majority, with a significant Baptist presenceStrongly Protestant, predominantly Baptist
  • Arkansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Conservative
  • Alabama's religious environment can be described as strongly Protestant and predominantly Baptist
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority with a significant Baptist presence

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Alabama

ComparisonArkansasAlabama
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Interdistrict Elementary School
Little Rock; Forest Park Elementary
Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary
Fayetteville
Mountain Brook Elementary
Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills Elementary East
Vestavia Hills; Creek View Elementary School
Alabaster
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy North Middle
Sherwood; Fulbright Junior High
Bentonville; McNair Middle School
Fayetteville
Mountain Brook Junior High
Mountain Brook; Liberty Park Middle School
Vestavia Hills; Berry Middle School
Hoover
Top 3 High School SchoolsHaas Hall Academy
Bentonville; Bentonville High School
Bentonville; Central High School
Little Rock
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School
Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills High School
Vestavia Hills
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy
Little Rock; Little Rock Christian Academy
Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School
Springdale
The Altamont School
Birmingham; Indian Springs School
Indian Springs Village; Randolph School
Huntsville
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSubiaco Academy
Subiaco; The New School
Fayetteville; Arkansas Baptist School System
Little Rock
Altamont School
Birmingham; Randolph School
Huntsville; Indian Springs School
Indian Springs Village
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District; Fayetteville Public Schools; Rogers School DistrictMountain Brook City Schools; Vestavia Hills City Schools; Madison City Schools

How Much Do Arkansas to Alabama Movers Cost?

Moving 457 miles from Arkansas to Alabama will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-20 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,462300 ft3$4.87
1 Bedroom$2,170450 ft3$4.82
2 Bedrooms$3,579750 ft3$4.77
3 Bedrooms$5,1941100 ft3$4.72
4 Bedrooms$7,4751600 ft3$4.67
5+ Bedrooms$8,3191800 ft3$4.62

Top Arkansas to Alabama Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Alabama

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
New Latitude Movers featured image

New Latitude Movers

9.27/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Arkansas to Alabama Routes

Little Rock to Alabama