Movers

North Carolina to Alabama Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 585 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Fried Green Tomatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern NC barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Green Tomatoes & Barbecue ribs
  • Alabama housing costs are 31% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
  • Rent in Alabama is 14.90% more affordable than in North Carolina
  • Moving from North Carolina to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended North Carolina to Alabama movers is Just Move It, LLC

North Carolina vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
Most iconic local food itemPulled pork BBQFried Green Tomatoes
Most popular meat dishEastern NC barbecueBarbecue ribs
Most popular street food itemBoiled peanutsSmoked wings
Most popular vegan foodBBQ jackfruitVegan soul food
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • The Chef and the Farmer
  • Mama Dip's
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 North Carolina to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Fried Green Tomatoes of Alabama. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Alabama residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Smoked Wings 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 Vegan Soul Food of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, The Chef and the Farmer, and Mama Dip's. 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 North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Alabama

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
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 listingClose to nature, spacious yardsHistorical areas, affordable living
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
  • Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings, which commonly reference proximity to nature and spacious yards, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historical areas and affordable living.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alabama is more walkable than North Carolina.
  • Alabama is similarly bike-friendly to North Carolina.
  • Alabama has less of an urban feel than North Carolina.
  • Alabama housing costs are 31% less expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to North Carolina’s $329,225.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
  • Rent in Alabama is 14.90% more affordable than in North Carolina.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Alabama

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
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 QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88/6691/71
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50/3157/36
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5056
Annual Snowfall (Inches)42
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Carolina to Alabama. Alabama gets 2% more sunshine days than North Carolina.
  • Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
  • The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 3 degrees warmer than in North Carolina.
  • The average winter lows in Alabama are 5 degrees warmer than they are in North Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 6 more inches of rain compared to North Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Alabama

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
Avg. Household Income$67,481$59,674
Cost of Living Index95.8591.2
State Income Tax5.25%5.0%
Avg. Property Tax0.84%0.40%
Avg. Sales Tax6.98%9.22%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Banking, AgricultureAgriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyNoticeableNoticeable
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 12% less than in North Carolina
  • The COLI in Alabama will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
  • The state income tax in Alabama is 5.0% compared to 5.25% in North Carolina
  • The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to moderate in North Carolina
  • The poverty level is noticeable in Alabama compared to noticeable in North Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and low in Alabama

Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Alabama

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly conservativeMore conservative
Local PoliticsMixture of urban liberal & rural conservativeMore uniformly conservative, with some urban exceptions
ReligionEvangelical Protestants, Mainline Protestants, and CatholicsStrongly Evangelical Protestant
  • North Carolina tends to lean mixed and leans slightly conservative in its political climate
  • Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as more conservative
  • Alabama's religious environment can be described as strongly Evangelical Protestant
  • North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestants, Mainline Protestants, and Catholics

Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Alabama

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlabama
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of South Alabama
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMetrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte)
Quest Academy (Raleigh)
The Expedition School (Hillsborough)
Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills)
Crestline Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPhillips Middle School (Chapel Hill)
Jay M Robinson Middle School (Charlotte)
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte)
Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook)
Louis Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Berry Middle School (Hoover)
Top 3 High SchoolsThe Early College at Guilford (Greensboro)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham)
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Bob Jones High School (Madison)
Top 3 private high schoolsCharlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Raven Gap-Nacoochee School (Rabun Gap)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCary Academy (Cary)
Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Advent Episcopal School (Birmingham)
The Donoho School (Anniston)
Lee-Scott Academy (Auburn)
Top 3 School DistrictsChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Mountain Brook City Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Hoover City Schools

How Much Do North Carolina to Alabama Movers Cost?

Moving 585 miles from North Carolina 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,534300 ft3$5.11
1 Bedroom$2,279450 ft3$5.06
2 Bedrooms$3,760750 ft3$5.01
3 Bedrooms$5,4601100 ft3$4.96
4 Bedrooms$7,8621600 ft3$4.91
5+ Bedrooms$8,7551800 ft3$4.86

Top North Carolina to Alabama Movers

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

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Alabama

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Raleigh Moving Company featured image

Raleigh Moving Company

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details