North Carolina to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

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
Comparison | North Carolina | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled pork BBQ | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC barbecue | Barbecue ribs |
Most popular street food item | Boiled peanuts | Smoked wings |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit | Vegan soul food |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 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
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Close to nature, spacious yards | Historical 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 Carolinaβs $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
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/66 | 91/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/31 | 57/36 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 56 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 2 |
- 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
Comparison | North Carolina | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 0.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Banking, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | North Carolina | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans slightly conservative | More conservative |
Local Politics | Mixture of urban liberal & rural conservative | More uniformly conservative, with some urban exceptions |
Religion | Evangelical Protestants, Mainline Protestants, and Catholics | Strongly 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
Comparison | North Carolina | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Metrolina 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 Schools | Phillips 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 Schools | The 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 schools | Charlotte 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 schools | Cary 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 Districts | Chapel 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,534 | 300 ft3 | $5.11 |
1 Bedroom | $2,279 | 450 ft3 | $5.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,760 | 750 ft3 | $5.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,460 | 1100 ft3 | $4.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,862 | 1600 ft3 | $4.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,755 | 1800 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.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Alabama