MS to AL Moving Specialists

Mississippi to Alabama Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 2025

Planning a 158 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs stronger job opportunities), food & health (like Catfish vs Barbecue), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Catfish and Fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue & Pulled pork
  • Alabama housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
  • Rent in Alabama is 7.67% more expensive than in Mississippi
  • Moving from Mississippi to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended Mississippi to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Mississippi to Alabama featured image

Top Mississippi to Alabama Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Alabama

9.39/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
New Latitude Movers featured image

New Latitude Movers

9.27/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
MoveMint - Pack & Move

MoveMint - Pack & Move

8.59/10
Fabulous

Mississippi to Alabama Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Alabama

ConsMississippi iconMississippi
  • Limited job market
  • Higher property taxes
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Frequent hurricanes
  • Fewer college options
ProsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Stronger job opportunities
  • Lower property taxes
  • Greater cultural variety
  • Milder summer storms
  • More universities

Alabama iconAlabama
  • More urban lifestyle
  • Less community-centric
  • Higher living costs
  • Fewer historic landmarks
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
Mississippi iconMississippi
  • Deep southern culture
  • Close-knit communities
  • Lower cost of living
  • Rich history
  • Simpler lifestyle

Pros of moving from Mississippi to Alabama

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to stronger job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from higher property taxes and moving to Alabama with lower property taxes
  • Swap the less cultural diversity of Mississippi for greater cultural variety in Alabama
  • Get ready for milder summer storms in Alabama

Cons of moving from Mississippi to Alabama

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from deep southern culture in Mississippi to live with a more urban lifestyle in Alabama
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of less community-centric living
  • Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to higher living costs in Alabama
  • Swap rich history for fewer historic landmarks

Mississippi vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
Most iconic local food itemCatfishBarbecue
Most popular meat dishFried chickenPulled pork
Most popular street food itemTamalesConecuh sausage
Most popular vegan foodOkra stewBlack-eyed peas salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Doe's Eat Place
  • Weidmann's
  • City Grocery
  • SAW's BBQ
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Mississippi to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Barbecue of Alabama. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Tamales, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Conecuh Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Peas Salad of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like Doe's Eat Place, Weidmann's, and City Grocery. 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 a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Alabama

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, ColonialCraftsman, Colonial
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, quiet neighborhoodsClose to amenities, updated kitchens
  • The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of Alabama.
  • Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and updated kitchens.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alabama is more walkable than Mississippi.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Alabama is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
  • Alabama has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
  • Alabama housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Mississippi’s $178,490.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
  • Rent in Alabama is 7.67% more expensive than in Mississippi.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and Alabama

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesTornadoes, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 70Β°F90Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)55Β°F / 34Β°F57Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)59"56"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"2"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Mississippi to Alabama. Alabama gets 1% more sunshine days than Mississippi.
  • Alabama has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Mississippi.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
  • The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 1 degree colder than in Mississippi.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Mississippi.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alabama. Alabama receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Alabama

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
Avg. Household Income$52,719$59,674
Cost of Living Index92.191.2
State Income Tax5%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.8%0.4%
Avg. Sales Tax7%7%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareAgriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 13% more than those in Mississippi
  • The COLI in Alabama will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Mississippi
  • There's no change in state income tax between Mississippi and Alabama
  • The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Mississippi
  • The poverty level is moderate in Alabama compared to high poverty in Mississippi
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and low in Alabama

Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Alabama

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
Political Make-upReliably Republican in recent statewide and federal elections; GOP holds most statewide offices and strong legislative majorities.Also reliably Republican; GOP dominance in statewide offices with large legislative majorities.
Local PoliticsCities like Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Oxford lean more Democratic; many suburbs and rural counties are conservative. Local priorities often include jobs, infrastructure, schools, and public safety.Cities such as Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, and Mobile lean more Democratic; most suburbs and rural counties are conservative. Local priorities often include economic development, infrastructure, schools, and public safety; many counties have limited home rule.
ReligionVery high religious participation; predominantly Protestant, especially Baptist and other evangelical traditions. Faith communities play a strong role in local life.Highly religious; predominantly Protestant (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational) with a notable Catholic presence along the Gulf Coast and in some metro areas. Faith communities are active in civic life.
  • Mississippi tends to lean reliably Republican in its political climate
  • Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as also reliably Republican with GOP dominance in statewide offices and large legislative majorities
  • Alabama's religious environment can be described as highly religious, predominantly Protestant (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational) with a notable Catholic presence along the Gulf Coast and in some metro areas. Faith communities are active in civic life
  • Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as very high religious participation, predominantly Protestant, especially Baptist and other evangelical traditions. Faith communities play a strong role in local life

Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Alabama

ComparisonMississippiAlabama
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Mississippi (Oxford)
Mississippi State University (Starkville)
University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg)
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Auburn University (Auburn)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham)
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMannsdale Elementary School (Madison)
Oak Grove Lower Elementary School (Hattiesburg)
Lewisburg Elementary School (Olive Branch)
Cherokee Bend Elementary School (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills Elementary School (Vestavia Hills)
Edgewood Elementary School (Homewood)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsOxford Middle School (Oxford)
Madison Middle School (Madison)
Pearl Junior High School (Pearl)
Mountain Brook Junior High School (Mountain Brook)
Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Top 3 High School SchoolsMadison Central High School (Madison)
Oxford High School (Oxford)
Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills)
Homewood High School (Homewood)
Top 3 private high schoolsJackson Academy (Jackson)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Jackson Preparatory School (Flowood)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
St. Paul's Episcopal School (Mobile)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSt. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Montgomery Academy (Montgomery)
Top 3 School DistrictsMadison County School District
Oxford School District
Ocean Springs School District
Mountain Brook City Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Madison City Schools

How Much Do Mississippi to Alabama Movers Cost?

Moving 158 miles from Mississippi to Alabama will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-16 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,292300 ft3$4.31
1 Bedroom$1,916450 ft3$4.26
2 Bedrooms$3,155750 ft3$4.21
3 Bedrooms$4,5731100 ft3$4.16
4 Bedrooms$6,5711600 ft3$4.11
5+ Bedrooms$7,3021800 ft3$4.06
Top Mississippi to Alabama Routes

Jackson to Alabama