Idaho to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 2,218 mile interstate move from Idaho to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Alabama BBQ Pulled Pork), real estate & housing (ranch, modern vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Rocky Mountain Oysters, but get your taste buds ready for Alabama BBQ Pulled Pork & Fried Catfish
- Alabama housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Alabama is 8.75% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Alabama will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Alabama movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Alabama
- Cold winters
- Remote areas
- Limited entertainment
- High elevation
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Vibrant nightlife
- Sea level elevation
- High humidity
- More crime in cities
- Fewer ski resorts
- Dense urban areas
- Beautiful landscapes
- Low crime rate
- Outdoor activities
- Small town charm
Pros of moving from Idaho to Alabama
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from remote areas and moving to Alabama with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the limited entertainment of Idaho for a vibrant nightlife in Alabama
- Get ready for sea level elevation in Alabama
Cons of moving from Idaho to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Idaho to live with high humidity in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low crime rate and have to settle for the con of more crime in cities
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to fewer ski resorts in Alabama
- Swap small town charm for dense urban areas
Idaho vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Alabama BBQ Pulled Pork |
Most popular meat dish | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Conecuh Sausage Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Black-eyed Peas |
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 Idaho to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Alabama BBQ Pulled Pork of Alabama. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Rocky Mountain Oysters and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Alabama residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Conecuh Sausage Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Peas of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and Fork. 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 The Bright Star.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Alabama
Comparison | Idaho | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain Views, Open Concept | Large Yards, Historical Features |
- The Ranch and Modern architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open concept living, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historical elements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Alabama is more walkable than Idaho.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Alabama has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Alabama housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Alabama is 8.75% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Alabama
Comparison | Idaho | 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, Flooding | Tornadoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 40Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 17Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13" | 56" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19.2" | 0.6" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Alabama. Alabama gets 4% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 6 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 43 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Alabama
Comparison | Idaho | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.925% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate-Low |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 18% less than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Alabama will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in Alabama is 5% compared to 6.925% in Idaho
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate-low compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Alabama
Comparison | Idaho | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Strongly Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Republican Stronghold |
Religion | Christian Majority | Evangelical Protestant Majority |
- Idaho 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 evangelical Protestant Majority
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian Majority
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Alabama
Comparison | Idaho | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Idaho Boise State University Idaho State University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Adams Elementary School (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise) Washington Elementary School (Boise) | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Cherokee Bend Elementary (Mountain Brook) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School (Boise) Lakes Middle School (Coeur d'Alene) Fairmont Junior High School (Boise) | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Homewood Middle School (Homewood) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) Capital High School (Boise) | Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) Homewood High School (Homewood) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur dβAlene) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Saint James School (Montgomery) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls) The Ambrose School (Meridian) North Idaho Christian School (Hayden) | Randolph School (Huntsville) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise City Independent School District Coeur d'Alene School District Blaine County School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools |
How Much Do Idaho to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 2,218 miles from Idaho to Alabama will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,460 | 300 ft3 | $8.20 |
1 Bedroom | $3,667 | 450 ft3 | $8.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,075 | 750 ft3 | $8.10 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,855 | 1100 ft3 | $8.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,800 | 1600 ft3 | $8.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,310 | 1800 ft3 | $7.95 |
Top Idaho to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.