Texas to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 830 mile interstate move from Texas to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like unbearable summer heat vs moderate summer temperatures), food & health (like Brisket vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (ranch and modern farmhouse vs craftsman and colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Brisket and BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Alabama is 12.93% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Texas to Alabama movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Alabama
- Unbearable summer heat
- High property taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Hurricane risk
- Oil-dependent economy
- Moderate summer temperatures
- Lower property taxes
- Less traffic congestion
- Reduced hurricane risk
- Diversified economy
- Smaller job market
- Fewer top universities
- Fewer big cities
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited restaurant variety
- Robust job market
- Highly rated universities
- Major metropolitan areas
- Cultural diversity
- Vibrant foodie scene
Pros of moving from Texas to Alabama
- Say goodbye to unbearable summer heat and hello to moderate summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Alabama with lower property taxes
- Swap the traffic congestion of Texas for less traffic congestion in Alabama
- Get ready for reduced hurricane risk in Alabama
Cons of moving from Texas to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a robust job market in Texas to live with a smaller job market in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of highly rated universities and have to settle for the con of fewer top universities
- Time to bid farewell to major metropolitan areas and get used to fewer big cities in Alabama
- Swap cultural diversity for less cultural diversity
Texas vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Brisket | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | BBQ Ribs | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Gumbo |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Black-eyed Peas and Collard Greens |
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 Texas to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Alabama. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Tacos, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Gumbo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Peas and Collard Greens of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Snow's BBQ, and Killen's Barbecue. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Dreamland BBQ, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Alabama
Comparison | Texas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Modern Farmhouse | Craftsman and Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Backyards, Energy Efficiency | Historic Charm, Outdoor Living Spaces |
- The Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and energy efficiency, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and outdoor living spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Texas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Texas.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Texas.
- Alabama housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Alabama is 12.93% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Alabama
Comparison | Texas | 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, Droughts | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Variable | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 57Β°F / 39Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32-50" | 53-69" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 2" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to Alabama. Alabama gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts in Texas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 3 degrees cooler than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Alabama
Comparison | Texas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2% - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.60% | 0.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.20% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Technology, Healthcare | Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Visible | Less visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 17% less than in Texas
- The COLI in Alabama is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from TX to AL, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% - 5%
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to high in Texas
- The poverty level is higher in Alabama compared to moderate in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Texas and less visible in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Alabama
Comparison | Texas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Republican & Democratic strongholds | Primarily Republican strongholds |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Protestant, specifically Baptist |
- Texas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as Protestant, specifically Baptist
- Texas residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Alabama
Comparison | Texas | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Vanguard/Academy (Dallas) T.H. Rogers School (Houston) School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Brookwood Forest Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William B Travis Vanguard/Academy (Dallas) T.H. Rogers School (Houston) School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Homewood Middle School (Homewood) |
Top 3 High Schools | School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) | Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Bob Jones High School (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Markβs School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) The Kincaid School (Houston) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Greenhill School (Addison) St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin) | Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Carroll Independent School District Coppell Independent School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Homewood City School District |
How Much Do Texas to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 830 miles from Texas 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: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,673 | 300 ft3 | $5.58 |
1 Bedroom | $2,487 | 450 ft3 | $5.53 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,108 | 750 ft3 | $5.48 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,969 | 1100 ft3 | $5.43 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,603 | 1600 ft3 | $5.38 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,588 | 1800 ft3 | $5.33 |
Top Texas to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Alabama