Arkansas to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

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
- Higher taxes
- Limited job market
- Extreme weather
- Lower cost of living
- Thriving industries
- Milder climate
- Less scenic
- Higher crime rates
- More reserved locals
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Alabama Barbecue |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Sausage | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fried Pickles | Shrimp Po'Boys |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Black-Eyed Pea Hummus |
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 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 Sawβs 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Garages | Hardwood 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 Arkansasβs $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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, floods | Hurricanes, tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 57Β°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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.6% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail | Manufacturing, Education, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Strongly Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of both parties, with a conservative tilt in rural areas | Largely conservative, especially in rural and suburban areas |
Religion | Protestant majority, with a significant Baptist presence | Strongly 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Baker 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 Schools | Lisa 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 Schools | Haas 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 schools | Pulaski 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 schools | Subiaco 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 Districts | Bentonville School District; Fayetteville Public Schools; Rogers School District | Mountain 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,462 | 300 ft3 | $4.87 |
1 Bedroom | $2,170 | 450 ft3 | $4.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,579 | 750 ft3 | $4.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,194 | 1100 ft3 | $4.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,475 | 1600 ft3 | $4.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,319 | 1800 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.