Indiana to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Limited beach access
- Flat landscape
- Busy urban areas
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Proximity to beaches
- Diverse terrain
- Slower pace of life
- Limited cultural events
- Varied school quality
- Less historical landmarks
- Narrower job opportunities
- Lack of public transit
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Alabama BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Hoosier Pie | Blackened Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Corn Dogs | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | Fried Green Tomatoes |
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 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
Comparison | Indiana | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, Proximity to schools | Historical 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 Indianaβs $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
Comparison | Indiana | 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, Severe Storms | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies, Urban vs Rural |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 20Β°F | 57Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 56 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 1 |
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 0.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Automotive, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Strongly Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural perspectives | Rural and conservative, with urban exceptions |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with diverse religious communities | Heavily 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
Comparison | Indiana | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Signature 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 Schools | West 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 Schools | Signature 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 Schools | Culver 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 Schools | University 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 Districts | Carmel 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,574 | 300 ft3 | $5.25 |
1 Bedroom | $2,339 | 450 ft3 | $5.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,861 | 750 ft3 | $5.15 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,608 | 1100 ft3 | $5.10 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,077 | 1600 ft3 | $5.05 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,996 | 1800 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.