DC to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 837 mile interstate move from DC to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs antebellum and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce on Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Smoked Chicken with White Sauce
- Alabama housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Alabama is 38.57% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended DC to Alabama movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Alabama
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Cold winters
- Limited parking
- High taxes
- Lower cost of living
- Less congestion
- Mild winters
- Ample parking space
- Lower taxes
- Fewer cultural offerings
- Limited public transit
- Fewer entertainment options
- Quieter nightlife
- Fewer universities
- Cultural diversity
- Public transportation
- Numerous attractions
- Vibrant nightlife
- Educational institutions
Pros of moving from DC to Alabama
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Alabama with less congestion
- Swap the cold winters of DC for the mild winters in Alabama
- Get ready for ample parking space in Alabama
Cons of moving from DC to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in DC to live with fewer cultural offerings in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transportation and have to settle for the con of limited public transit
- Time to bid farewell to numerous attractions and get used to fewer entertainment options in Alabama
- Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter nightlife
DC vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-Smoke | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo Sauce on Chicken | Smoked Chicken with White Sauce |
Most popular street food item | Food Trucks Varieties | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Soul Food | Collard Greens with Smoky Vegan Sausage |
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 DC to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce on Chicken and sumptuous Food Truck Varieties, Alabama residents know they have tasty Smoked Chicken with White Sauce and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Soul Food they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens with Smoky Vegan Sausage of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Le Diplomate. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Sawβs BBQ, and Hot and Hot Fish Club.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Alabama
Comparison | DC | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Federal and Victorian | Antebellum and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to Metro, historic charm | Large yards, community feel |
- The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and a community feel.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Alabama housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Alabama is 38.57% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Alabama
Comparison | DC | 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 | Occasional Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β° / 71Β° | 91Β° / 72Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β° / 29Β° | 57Β° / 36Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40 | 56 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.4 | 1.6 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Alabama. Alabama gets 5% more sunny days than DC.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible occasional nor'easters in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 3 degrees warmer than in DC.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 7 degrees warmer than those in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama, as Alabama receives 16 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Alabama
Comparison | DC | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 8.5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Professional Services, Education | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Retail |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 41% less than in DC
- The COLI in Alabama will be 35% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in AL is 5% compared to 8.5% in DC
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to low in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in DC and low in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Alabama
Comparison | DC | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies and leaders | Conservative policies and leaders |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Highly religious, predominantly Christian |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Alabama
Comparison | DC | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University University of Maryland | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Janney Elementary Hyde-Addison Elementary Mann Elementary | Mountain Brook Elementary Vestavia Hills Elementary West Cherokee Bend Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School | Mountain Brook Junior High Homewood Middle School Liberty Park Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Wilson High School School Without Walls Banneker High School | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Mountain Brook High School Vestavia Hills High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School St. Albans School | The Altamont School Indian Springs School Randolph School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Maret School Sidwell Friends School National Cathedral School | Randolph School The Altamont School Indian Springs School |
Top 3 School Districts | District of Columbia Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do DC to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 837 miles from DC to Alabama 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: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,677 | 300 ft3 | $5.59 |
1 Bedroom | $2,493 | 450 ft3 | $5.54 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,117 | 750 ft3 | $5.49 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,984 | 1100 ft3 | $5.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,624 | 1600 ft3 | $5.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,612 | 1800 ft3 | $5.34 |
Top DC to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.