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Kentucky to Alabama Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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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

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Lack of coastal areas
  • Less cultural diversity
ProsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Milder climate
  • Growing economy
  • Gulf Coast beaches
  • Diverse communities

Alabama iconAlabama
  • Higher humidity
  • Crowded cities
  • Less public transit
  • No bourbon heritage
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenShrimp and Grits
Most popular meat dishBurgooBarbecued Pulled Pork
Most popular street food itemHot Brown SandwichConecuh Sausage
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitOkra and Tomatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Claudia Sanders Dinner House
  • Mammy's Kitchen
  • Dreamland BBQ
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodAntebellum, 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 yards, proximity to parksHistoric 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 Kentucky’s $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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
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 DisastersThunderstorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F91Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 23Β°F57Β°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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
Avg. Household Income$59,341$59,674
Cost of Living Index87.891.2
State Income Tax5.00%5.00%
Avg. Property Tax0.82%0.40%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%9.22%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AgricultureAutomobile, Natural Resources, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyNoticeableNoticeable
HomelessnessManageableManageable
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
Political Make-upMixed; leans Republican in federal elections but has a history of electing Democrats at the state levelStrongly Republican, with consistent support in both state and federal elections
Local PoliticsVaries by region, with urban areas tending more liberal and rural areas more conservativePrimarily conservative across most of the state, including both rural and many suburban areas
ReligionChristianity predominates, with a significant presence of the Southern Baptist Convention alongside various Protestant denominationsHeavily 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

ComparisonKentuckyAlabama
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 SchoolsPikeville Elementary
Ashland Elementary
Mannsville Elementary
Mountain Brook Elementary
Vestavia-Hills East Elementary
Madison Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBeechwood Middle School
Highlands Middle School
South Oldham Middle School
Simmons Middle School
Berry Middle School
Mountain Brook Junior High
Top 3 High School SchoolsduPont 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 schoolsSacred Heart Academy
Louisville Collegiate School
St. Xavier High School
The Altamont School
Indian Springs School
Randolph School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Lexington School
Sayre School
Louisville Collegiate School
Altamont School
The Montgomery Academy
Indian Springs School
Top 3 School DistrictsFort 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-16 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,488300 ft3$4.96
1 Bedroom$2,210450 ft3$4.91
2 Bedrooms$3,646750 ft3$4.86
3 Bedrooms$5,2921100 ft3$4.81
4 Bedrooms$7,6171600 ft3$4.76
5+ Bedrooms$8,4791800 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.

TOP PICK
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Alabama

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

New Latitude Movers

9.27/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details