New York to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,221 mile interstate move from New York to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel vs Barbecue ribs), real estate & housing (modern and high-rise vs colonial and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagel and New York strip steak, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue ribs & Pulled pork
- Alabama housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in Alabama is 41.01% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New York to Alabama movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Alabama
- High Cost of Living
- Harsh Winters
- Traffic Congestion
- Limited Space
- Affordable Housing
- Mild Climates
- Easier Commutes
- More Open Land
- Quieter Nightlife
- Less Diversity
- Fewer Job Markets
- Car Dependency
- Vibrant Nightlife
- Cultural Diversity
- Abundant Job Opportunities
- Public Transportation
Pros of moving from New York to Alabama
- Say goodbye to high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Alabama with mild climates
- Swap the traffic congestion of New York for easier commutes in Alabama
- Get ready for more open land in Alabama
Cons of moving from New York to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in New York to live with quieter nightlife in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to abundant job opportunities and get used to fewer job markets in Alabama
- Swap public transportation for car dependency
New York vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagel | Barbecue ribs |
Most popular meat dish | New York strip steak | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Pizza slice | Fried green tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | Black-eyed peas |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 New York to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic bagel of New York for the equally delicious barbecue ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful New York strip steak and sumptuous pizza slice, Alabama residents know they have tasty pulled pork and fried green tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the avocado toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the black-eyed peas of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and Carlo's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Hot and Hot Fish Club.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama, compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Alabama
Comparison | New York | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and High-Rise | Colonial and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to public transport, Views | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods |
- The Modern and High-Rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transport and views, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than New York.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than New York.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than New York.
- Alabama housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in Alabama is 41.01% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Alabama
Comparison | New York | 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, Blizzards | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/62Β°F | 91Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F/26Β°F | 57Β°F/36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 58.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.8 | 1.6 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Alabama. Alabama gets 5% fewer sunshine days than New York.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 9 degrees warmer than in New York.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 8.4 more inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Alabama
Comparison | New York | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 4 - 8.82 | 2 - 5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4 | 0.4 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.52 | 9.22 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Tech | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Wealthy | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 25% less than in New York
- The COLI in Alabama is 11% lower than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in AL is 2 - 5 compared to 4 - 8.82 in NY
- The affluence in Alabama is modest compared to wealthy in New York
- The poverty level is higher in Alabama compared to moderate in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New York and less visible in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Alabama
Comparison | New York | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Predominantly Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies and initiatives | Conservative policies and values |
Religion | Diverse religious beliefs with a significant secular population | Strong Christian influence, particularly Protestant |
- New York tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as having a strong Christian influence, particularly Protestant
- New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having diverse religious beliefs with a significant secular population
Education Guide When Moving from New York to Alabama
Comparison | New York | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New York University Columbia University Cornell University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | P.S. 77 Lower Lab School (New York City) Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx) P.S. 172 Beacon School of Excellence (Brooklyn) | Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Madison Elementary (Madison) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jericho Middle School (Jericho) Garden City Middle School (Garden City) I.S. 187 The Christa McAuliffe School (Brooklyn) | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bronx High School of Science (Bronx) Stuyvesant High School (New York City) Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn) | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) |
Top 3 private high schools | Horace Mann School (Bronx) Trinity School (New York City) Collegiate School (New York City) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Riverdale Country School (Bronx) The Spence School (New York City) The Brearley School (New York City) | Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) The Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Jericho Union Free School District Great Neck Public Schools Scarsdale Union Free School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do New York to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,221 miles from New York to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,895 | 300 ft3 | $6.32 |
1 Bedroom | $2,820 | 450 ft3 | $6.27 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,662 | 750 ft3 | $6.22 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,782 | 1100 ft3 | $6.17 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,785 | 1600 ft3 | $6.12 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,918 | 1800 ft3 | $6.07 |
Top New York to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.