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Indiana to Alabama Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 656 mile interstate move from Indiana to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Alabama BBQ), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Hoosier Pie, but get your taste buds ready for Alabama BBQ & Blackened Catfish
  • Alabama housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Indiana
  • Rent in Alabama is 9.24% more expensive than in Indiana
  • Moving from Indiana to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy

Indiana to Alabama Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Alabama

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Harsh winters
  • High taxes
  • Limited beach access
  • Flat landscape
  • Busy urban areas
ProsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Proximity to beaches
  • Diverse terrain
  • Slower pace of life

Alabama iconAlabama
  • Limited cultural events
  • Varied school quality
  • Less historical landmarks
  • Narrower job opportunities
  • Lack of public transit
Indiana iconIndiana
  • Vibrant arts scene
  • Excellent schools
  • Rich history
  • Diverse job market
  • Accessible transport

Pros of moving from Indiana to Alabama

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Alabama with lower taxes
  • Swap the limited beach access of Indiana for proximity to beaches in Alabama
  • Get ready for diverse terrain in Alabama

Cons of moving from Indiana to Alabama

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant arts scene in Indiana to live with limited cultural events in Alabama
  • You'll lose out on the pro of excellent schools and have to settle for the con of varied school quality
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Alabama
  • Swap diverse job opportunities for narrower job opportunities

Indiana vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichAlabama BBQ
Most popular meat dishHoosier PieBlackened Catfish
Most popular street food itemCorn DogsBoiled Peanuts
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlsFried Green Tomatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Bluebeard
  • Milktooth
  • Saw's Soul Kitchen
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • The Bright Star
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 Indiana to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Alabama BBQ of Alabama. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Hoosier Pie and sumptuous Corn Dogs, Alabama residents know they have tasty Blackened Catfish and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw's Soul Kitchen, Highlands Bar and Grill, and The Bright Star.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Alabama

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, ColonialAntebellum, Craftsman
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 backyards, Proximity to schoolsHistorical significance, Large lots
  • The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
  • Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to schools, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historical significance and large lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Indiana.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Indiana.
  • Alabama has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
  • Alabama housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
  • Rent in Alabama is 9.24% more expensive than in Indiana.

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

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
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, Severe StormsHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGenerally GoodVaries, Urban vs Rural
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F91Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 20Β°F57Β°F / 38Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4256
Annual Snowfall (Inches)221
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Alabama. Alabama gets 15% more sunshine days than Indiana.
  • Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 6 degrees warmer than in Indiana.
  • The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Alabama

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
Avg. Household Income$66,785$59,674
Cost of Living Index92.9591.2
State Income Tax3.23%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.87%0.41%
Avg. Sales Tax7%9%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareAutomotive, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 11% less than in Indiana
  • The COLI in Alabama will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Indiana
  • The state income tax in AL is 5% compared to 3.23% in IN
  • The affluence in Alabama is modest compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
  • The poverty level is higher in Alabama compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in Alabama

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Alabama

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
Political Make-upLean ConservativeStrongly Conservative
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural perspectivesRural and conservative, with urban exceptions
ReligionChristianity dominant, with diverse religious communitiesHeavily Evangelical Christian, with other denominations present
  • Indiana 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 heavily Evangelical Christian with other denominations present
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Alabama

ComparisonIndianaAlabama
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of South Alabama
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSignature School
Evansville; Edgewood Elementary School
Indianapolis; Munster High School
Munster
Mountain Brook Elementary
Mountain Brook; Madison Elementary
Madison; Vestavia Hills Elementary West
Vestavia Hills
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
West Lafayette; Brown County Junior High School
Nashville; Benjamin Rush Middle School
Rushville
Liberty Park Middle School
Vestavia Hills; Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet
Montgomery; Homewood Middle School
Homewood
Top 3 High SchoolsSignature School
Evansville; Carmel High School
Carmel; Homestead Senior High School
Fort Wayne
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School
Mountain Brook; Bob Jones High School
Madison
Top 3 Private High SchoolsCulver Academies
Culver; Park Tudor School
Indianapolis; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Indianapolis
Randolph School
Huntsville; Indian Springs School
Indian Springs; The Altamont School
Birmingham
Top 3 Private K-12 SchoolsUniversity High School of Indiana
Carmel; The International School of Indiana
Indianapolis; Sycamore School
Indianapolis
The Altamont School
Birmingham; Indian Springs School
Indian Springs; Randolph School
Huntsville
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools
Carmel; West Lafayette Community School Corporation
West Lafayette; Munster School Corporation
Munster
Mountain Brook City Schools
Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills City Schools
Vestavia Hills; Madison City Schools
Madison

How Much Do Indiana to Alabama Movers Cost?

Moving 656 miles from Indiana to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-13 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,574300 ft3$5.25
1 Bedroom$2,339450 ft3$5.20
2 Bedrooms$3,861750 ft3$5.15
3 Bedrooms$5,6081100 ft3$5.10
4 Bedrooms$8,0771600 ft3$5.05
5+ Bedrooms$8,9961800 ft3$5.00

Top Indiana to Alabama Movers

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

TOP PICK
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Alabama

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Latitude Movers featured image

New Latitude Movers

9.27/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details