Mississippi to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 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
Top Mississippi to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

MoveDaddy
Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Alabama

New Latitude Movers
MoveMint - Pack & Move
Mississippi to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Alabama
- Limited job market
- Higher property taxes
- Less cultural diversity
- Frequent hurricanes
- Fewer college options
- Stronger job opportunities
- Lower property taxes
- Greater cultural variety
- Milder summer storms
- More universities
- More urban lifestyle
- Less community-centric
- Higher living costs
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Barbecue |
Most popular meat dish | Fried chicken | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Conecuh sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Okra stew | Black-eyed peas salad |
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 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Colonial | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, quiet neighborhoods | Close 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 Mississippiβs $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
Comparison | Mississippi | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 70Β°F | 90Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55Β°F / 34Β°F | 57Β°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
Comparison | Mississippi | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 0.4% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, tends Republican | Conservative, tends Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse range of opinions, strong local governance | Similar local political climate, with a focus on community and state rights |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Protestant Christian | Strong Protestant Christian majority, importance of religion in community life |
- Mississippi tends to lean conservative and tends Republican in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and tends Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as having a strong Protestant Christian majority with the importance of religion in community life
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Protestant Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Alabama
Comparison | Mississippi | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Elementary (Madison) Eastside Elementary (Clinton) Madison Station Elementary (Madison) | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Greystone Elementary School (Hoover) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School (Madison) Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood) Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch) | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Madison Central High School (Madison) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) | Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) Bob Jones High School (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) Jackson Academy (Jackson) French Camp Academy (French Camp) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) The Montgomery Academy (Montgomery) |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County Schools Clinton Public School District Rankin County School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,292 | 300 ft3 | $4.31 |
1 Bedroom | $1,916 | 450 ft3 | $4.26 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,155 | 750 ft3 | $4.21 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,573 | 1100 ft3 | $4.16 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,571 | 1600 ft3 | $4.11 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,302 | 1800 ft3 | $4.06 |