Massachusetts to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 1,265 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Alabama is 41.94% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Alabama movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Alabama
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Expensive dining
- Mild winters
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Cheaper dining
- Limited schools
- Less cultural variety
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less historic sites
- Top-notch education
- Diverse culture
- Robust job market
- Historical landmarks
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Alabama
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Alabama with affordable housing
- Swap the dense traffic of Massachusetts for less congestion in Alabama
- Get ready for cheaper dining in Alabama
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from top-notch education in Massachusetts to live with limited schools in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to a robust job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in Alabama
- Swap historical landmarks for less historic sites
Massachusetts vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fried Clams | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Black-Eyed Pea Hummus |
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 Massachusetts to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Fried Clams, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Fried Green Tomatoes 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 Pea Hummus of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Union Oyster House. 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 Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Alabama
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Access to public transport, Historic charm | Large yards, Proximity to natural beauty |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference access to public transport and historic charm, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to natural beauty.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Alabama housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Alabama is 41.94% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Alabama
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Nor'easters, blizzards | Hurricanes, tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.68 | 58 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Alabama. Alabama gets 5% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, 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 11 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 10.3 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Alabama
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 2.0%-5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Technology | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Education |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 37% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Alabama will be 25% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in AL is 2.0% to 5.0% compared to 5.0% in MA
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Alabama compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Alabama
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Traditional values |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Strongly religious, predominantly Christian |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as strongly religious and predominantly Christian
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Alabama
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston College | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Joseph E. Fiske Elementary Wellesley; Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester; Chickering School Dover | Rock Quarry Elementary Tuscaloosa; Vestavia Hills Elementary West Vestavia Hills; Meadow View Elementary Alabaster |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Jonas Clarke Middle School Lexington; Boston Latin School Boston | Mountain Brook Junior High Mountain Brook; Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia Hills; Homewood Middle School Homewood |
Top 3 High Schools | Massachusetts Academy for Math and Science Worcester; Boston Latin School Boston; Lexington High School Lexington | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy Andover Andover; Milton Academy Milton; Noble and Greenough School Dedham | The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge; The Roxbury Latin School West Roxbury; Belmont Hill School Belmont | The Montgomery Academy Montgomery; The Altamont School Birmingham; Saint James School Montgomery |
Top 3 School Districts | Wellesley Public Schools Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Homewood City Schools |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,265 miles from Massachusetts to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,920 | 300 ft3 | $6.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,857 | 450 ft3 | $6.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,724 | 750 ft3 | $6.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,874 | 1100 ft3 | $6.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,918 | 1600 ft3 | $6.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,068 | 1800 ft3 | $6.15 |
Top Massachusetts to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Alabama