Oklahoma to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 737 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like tornado frequency vs variety of beaches), food & health (like Chicken-fried steak vs Gulf Seafood, especially shrimp), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken-fried steak and Barbecue ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Gulf Seafood, especially shrimp & Pulled pork
- Alabama housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in Alabama is 16.07% more expensive than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Oklahoma to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to Alabama
- Tornado frequency
- Extreme summer heat
- Landlocked
- Limited seafood
- Flat landscapes
- Variety of beaches
- Mild winters
- Gulf Coast access
- Seafood restaurants
- Diverse terrains
- Higher cost of housing
- Higher crime rates
- Less BBQ variety
- Fewer sports events
- More crowded cities
- Low cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Quality local BBQ
- Sports culture
- Open spaces
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to Alabama
- Say goodbye to tornado frequency and hello to a variety of beaches
- Look forward to moving away from extreme summer heat and moving to Alabama with mild winters
- Swap the landlocked nature of Oklahoma for Gulf Coast access in Alabama
- Get ready for seafood restaurants in Alabama
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Oklahoma to live with the higher cost of housing in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
- Time to bid farewell to quality local BBQ and get used to less BBQ variety in Alabama
- Swap sports culture for fewer sports events
Oklahoma vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken-fried steak | Gulf Seafood, especially shrimp |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue ribs | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Fried onion burgers | Boiled peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Okra gumbo | Fried green tomatoes |
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 Oklahoma to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Chicken-fried steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Gulf Seafood, especially shrimp, of Alabama. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful Barbecue ribs and sumptuous Fried onion burgers, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled pork and Boiled peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried green tomatoes of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oklahoma eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Sid's Diner, and Pops 66 Soda Ranch. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Highlands Bar & Grill, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, and Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows an equal emphasis on fitness and health consciousness compared to Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and Alabama
Comparison | Oklahoma | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to schools | Historical characteristics, close-knit communities |
- The Ranch architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historical characteristics and close-knit communities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Oklahoma.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Oklahoma.
- Alabama housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased 45% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in Alabama is 16.07% more expensive than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and Alabama
Comparison | Oklahoma | 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 | Tornadoes, Hail | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 57Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36" | 58" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 6" | 1" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oklahoma to Alabama. Alabama gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oklahoma.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 3 degrees colder than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and Alabama
Comparison | Oklahoma | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.89% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.95% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Aviation, Agriculture | Aerospace, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Notable | Notable |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 0% more than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in Alabama will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- There's no change in state income tax between Oklahoma and Alabama
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to moderate in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is notable in Alabama compared to notable in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Oklahoma and moderate in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. Alabama
Comparison | Oklahoma | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-dominated, with Republicans holding significant sway | Strongly conservative, with a long-standing Republican majority |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal areas and conservative rural regions | Conservative across most areas, especially rural |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian, includes Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal denominations | Deeply religious, majority Christian, predominantly Baptist |
- Oklahoma tends to lean conservative-dominated in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative with a long-standing Republican majority
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as deeply religious, majority Christian and predominantly Baptist
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious, predominantly Christian and including Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to Alabama
Comparison | Oklahoma | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary - Edmond Washington Irving Elementary - Edmond Russell Dougherty Elementary - Edmond | Greystone Elementary - Hoover Mountain Brook Elementary - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills Elementary East - Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle School - Norman Sequoyah Middle School - Edmond Central Middle School - Edmond | Mountain Brook Junior High - Mountain Brook Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills Berry Middle School - Hoover |
Top 3 High Schools | Edmond North High School - Edmond Norman North High School - Norman Jenks High School - Jenks | Mountain Brook High School - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills High School - Vestavia Hills Homewood High School - Homewood |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School - Oklahoma City Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City | The Altamont School - Birmingham Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Village Randolph School - Huntsville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Crossings Christian School - Oklahoma City Lincoln Christian School - Tulsa | Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Village The Altamont School - Birmingham Randolph School - Huntsville |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools |
How Much Do Oklahoma to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 737 miles from Oklahoma to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,620 | 300 ft3 | $5.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,408 | 450 ft3 | $5.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,976 | 750 ft3 | $5.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,776 | 1100 ft3 | $5.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,322 | 1600 ft3 | $5.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,272 | 1800 ft3 | $5.15 |
Top Oklahoma to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.