Arizona to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,586 mile interstate move from Arizona to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme heat vs milder climate), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (southwestern vs antebellum and cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Alabama is 22.97% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to Alabama movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Top Arizona to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Alabama

AAA Soto's Moving

MoveDaddy
Arizona to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Alabama
- Extreme heat
- High cost of living
- Desert landscape
- Water scarcity
- Milder climate
- Affordable housing
- Lush greenery
- Plentiful water bodies
- Limited urban options
- Lower cultural diversity
- Higher humidity
- Fewer tech industries
- Vibrant city life
- Diverse culture
- Scenic desert vistas
- Tech job opportunities
Pros of moving from Arizona to Alabama
- Say goodbye to extreme heat and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a high cost of living and moving to Alabama with affordable housing
- Swap the desert landscape of Arizona for lush greenery in Alabama
- Get ready for plentiful water bodies in Alabama
Cons of moving from Arizona to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant city life in Arizona to live with limited urban options in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle with the con of lower cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to scenic desert vistas and get used to higher humidity in Alabama
- Swap tech job opportunities for fewer tech industries
Arizona vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Black-Eyed Pea Hummus |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Arizona to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos 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 Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and FnB. 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 less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Alabama
Comparison | Arizona | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Southwestern | Antebellum and Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, desert views | Large yards, hardwood floors |
- The Southwestern architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Cottage architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and desert views, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and hardwood floors.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Alabama housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased 45% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Alabama is 22.97% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Alabama
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F / 83Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 57Β°F / 39Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13" | 58" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 2" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Alabama. Alabama gets 29% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 15 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 45 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Alabama
Comparison | Arizona | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 β 4.50% | 2 β 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 0.39% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40% | 9.24% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tourism, Technology | Automotive, Aerospace, Chemicals |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Considerable |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less Prevalent |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 20% less than those in Arizona
- The COLI in Alabama will be 10% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in AL is 2 β 5% compared to 2.59 β 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in Alabama is modest compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is considerable in Alabama compared to moderate poverty in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Arizona and less prevalent in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Alabama
Comparison | Arizona | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative/Competitive | Strongly Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican Leadership | Primarily Republican Leadership |
Religion | Christianity, Non-religious | Primarily Christianity |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately Conservative/Competitive in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Conservative
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as primarily Christianity
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity and Non-religious
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Alabama
Comparison | Arizona | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Basis Oro Valley | Mountain Brook Elementary Vestavia Hills Elementary West Madison Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler Basis Scottsdale Basis Phoenix | Mountain Brook Junior High Liberty Park Middle School Homewood Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Basis Oro Valley | Mountain Brook High School Vestavia Hills High School Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix Country Day School The Gregory School | The Altamont School Indian Springs School Saint James School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Preparatory Academy Chandler Preparatory Academy Glendale Preparatory Academy | The Altamont School Indian Springs School Randolph School |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,586 miles from Arizona to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-13 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mr.Buff Personal Mover
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,102 | 300 ft3 | $7.01 |
1 Bedroom | $3,130 | 450 ft3 | $6.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,179 | 750 ft3 | $6.91 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,541 | 1100 ft3 | $6.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,889 | 1600 ft3 | $6.81 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,160 | 1800 ft3 | $6.76 |