Kentucky to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 504 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Barbecued Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Alabama is 12.59% more expensive than it is in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Kentucky to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Alabama
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Lack of coastal areas
- Less cultural diversity
- Milder climate
- Growing economy
- Gulf Coast beaches
- Diverse communities
- Higher humidity
- Crowded cities
- Less public transit
- No bourbon heritage
- Friendly communities
- Lower cost of living
- Charming countryside
- Rich bourbon culture
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Alabama
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Alabama with a growing economy
- Swap the lack of coastal areas of Kentucky for Gulf Coast beaches in Alabama
- Get ready for diverse communities in Alabama
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly communities in Kentucky to live with higher humidity in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of crowded cities
- Time to bid farewell to the charming countryside and get used to less public transit in Alabama
- Swap a rich bourbon culture for no bourbon heritage
Kentucky vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Barbecued Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Conecuh Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Okra and Tomatoes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Kentucky to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of Alabama. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Alabama residents know they have tasty Barbecued Pulled Pork and Conecuh Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra and Tomatoes of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Claudia Sanders Dinner House, and Mammy's Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Dreamland 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 Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Alabama
Comparison | Kentucky | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to parks | Historic homes, outdoor living spaces |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to parks, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and outdoor living spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Alabama is similarly bike-friendly to Kentucky.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Alabama housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Alabama is 12.59% more expensive than it is in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Alabama
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Thunderstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 58" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Alabama. Alabama gets 9% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in Kentucky, 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 4 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Alabama
Comparison | Kentucky | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.82% | 0.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Automobile, Natural Resources, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 1% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Alabama will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- There's no change in state income tax between Kentucky and Alabama
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is noticeable in Alabama compared to noticeable in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Kentucky and manageable in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Alabama
Comparison | Kentucky | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican in federal elections but has a history of electing Democrats at the state level | Strongly Republican, with consistent support in both state and federal elections |
Local Politics | Varies by region, with urban areas tending more liberal and rural areas more conservative | Primarily conservative across most of the state, including both rural and many suburban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominates, with a significant presence of the Southern Baptist Convention alongside various Protestant denominations | Heavily Christian, with a stronger emphasis on evangelical Protestant denominations, especially the Southern Baptist Convention |
- Kentucky tends to lean mixed; it leans Republican in federal elections but has a history of electing Democrats at the state level in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican, with consistent support in both state and federal elections
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as heavily Christian, with a stronger emphasis on evangelical Protestant denominations, especially the Southern Baptist Convention
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates, with a significant presence of the Southern Baptist Convention alongside various Protestant denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Alabama
Comparison | Kentucky | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary Ashland Elementary Mannsville Elementary | Mountain Brook Elementary Vestavia-Hills East Elementary Madison Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beechwood Middle School Highlands Middle School South Oldham Middle School | Simmons Middle School Berry Middle School Mountain Brook Junior High |
Top 3 High School Schools | duPont Manual High School Highlands High School Beechwood High School | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Mountain Brook High School Bob Jones High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville Collegiate School St. Xavier High School | The Altamont School Indian Springs School Randolph School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Sayre School Louisville Collegiate School | Altamont School The Montgomery Academy Indian Springs School |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Homewood City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 504 miles from Kentucky to Alabama will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-16 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,488 | 300 ft3 | $4.96 |
1 Bedroom | $2,210 | 450 ft3 | $4.91 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,646 | 750 ft3 | $4.86 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,292 | 1100 ft3 | $4.81 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,617 | 1600 ft3 | $4.76 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,479 | 1800 ft3 | $4.71 |
Top Kentucky to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.