Missouri to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 619 mile interstate move from Missouri to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder climate), food & health (like St. Louis BBQ vs Alabama BBQ), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Missouri), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis BBQ and Smoked ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Alabama BBQ & Pulled pork
- Alabama housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Alabama is 10.44% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to Alabama movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Alabama
- Cold winters
- Larger population
- Higher property taxes
- Limited coastal access
- Milder climate
- Smaller cities
- Lower taxes
- Close to Gulf Coast
- Hot, humid summers
- Fewer hiking trails
- Fewer large events
- Higher crime rates
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse landscapes
- Rich cultural events
- Low crime rates
Pros of moving from Missouri to Alabama
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a larger population and moving to Alabama with smaller cities
- Swap the higher property taxes of Missouri for lower taxes in Alabama
- Get ready for close proximity to the Gulf Coast in Alabama
Cons of moving from Missouri to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four distinct seasons in Missouri to live with hot, humid summers in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse landscapes and have to settle for the con of fewer hiking trails
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural events and get used to fewer large events in Alabama
- Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates
Missouri vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis BBQ | Alabama BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked ribs | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Shrimp Po' Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Okra Gumbo |
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 Missouri to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Alabama BBQ of Alabama. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful smoked ribs and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Alabama residents know they have tasty pulled pork and shrimp Po' Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the okra gumbo of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, and Blues City Deli. 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 Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Alabama
Comparison | Missouri | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Garages | Porches, Hardwood floors |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like porches and hardwood floors.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Missouri.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Alabama housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Alabama is 10.44% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Alabama
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornados, Storms | Hurricanes, Tornados |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 91/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39/21 | 57/36 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 56 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Alabama. Alabama gets 4% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 2 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Alabama
Comparison | Missouri | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | Up to 5.3% | Up to 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Metals, Automotive, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Low to moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 8% less than those in Missouri
- The COLI in Alabama will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in Alabama is up to 5% compared to up to 5.3% in Missouri
- The affluence in Alabama is low to moderate compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and moderate in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Alabama
Comparison | Missouri | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a Republican lean in recent elections | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Varies significantly from urban to rural areas | Consistently conservative across the state |
Religion | Christianity dominates, with a significant Evangelical presence | Heavily Evangelical Christian with one of the highest attendance rates in the country |
- Missouri tends to lean swing state with a Republican lean in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as heavily Evangelical Christian with one of the highest attendance rates in the country
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity, with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Alabama
Comparison | Missouri | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary St. Louis; Wilson Elementary Clayton; Vandover Early Childhood High Ridge | Rock Quarry Elementary Tuscaloosa; Deer Valley Elementary Hoover; Mt Laurel Elementary Birmingham |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle St. Louis; Clayton Middle Clayton; John Burroughs School St. Louis | Liberty Park Middle Vestavia Hills; Berry Middle Hoover; Mountain Brook Junior High Mountain Brook |
Top 3 High School Schools | Clayton High Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High St. Louis; John Burroughs School St. Louis | Mountain Brook High Mountain Brook; Homewood High Homewood; Vestavia Hills High Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 private high schools | John Burroughs School St. Louis; Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; St. Louis University High School St. Louis | The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; The Barstow School Kansas City | Randolph School Huntsville; The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Kirkwood School District Ladue School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Hoover City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools |
How Much Do Missouri to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 619 miles from Missouri 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: 6-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,553 | 300 ft3 | $5.18 |
1 Bedroom | $2,308 | 450 ft3 | $5.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,809 | 750 ft3 | $5.08 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,531 | 1100 ft3 | $5.03 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,965 | 1600 ft3 | $4.98 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,870 | 1800 ft3 | $4.93 |
Top Missouri to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Alabama