Moving to Alabama: Pros and Cons in 2025
Planning a move to Alabama? You’re in good company. The Heart of Dixie attracts people from all walks of life—whether you crave the lively energy of Huntsville or the peaceful vibe of its small towns, you’ll find your ideal place here.
Alabama has a lot to offer, but before you jump into buying a home and moving, take some time to consider both the pros and cons.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to Alabama so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Alabama
Relocating to Alabama has its advantages, but there are a few challenges you’ll want to consider as well.
Check out the main perks and drawbacks of living in the Heart of Dixie to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Pros of living in Alabama
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Tasty southern comfort food
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Top-notch college football
- ✓Rich history
Cons of living in Alabama
- ✖Poor quality of life
- ✖Severe weather
- ✖Restrictive alcohol laws
- ✖Poor healthcare
- ✖Cockroaches
Things to do in Alabama
Whether you’re moving to Alabama for work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Alabama has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can check out these spots with your family, or use them as a great way to meet new people if you’re flying solo. With so many options, you’re bound to find something that fits your vibe and helps you feel right at home.
Popular Attractions in Alabama
- US Space & Rocket Center
- Birmingham Zoo
- Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
- Point Mallard Park
- Cheaha State Park
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Gulf Shores
- McWane Science Center
- Huntsville Botanical Garden
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Museums in Alabama
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center
- Battleship USS ALABAMA
- Legacy Museum
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- Rosa Parks Library and Museum
- Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
- Civil Rights Memorial Center
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- McWane Science Center
Parks in Alabama
- Gulf State Park
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- Sipsey Wilderness
- The Wharf
- Orange Beach Waterfront Park
- Huntsville Botanical Garden
- Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
- Gulf State Park Fishing Pier
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- Alabama Point East
Fun facts about Alabama
Every state has a unique vibe, shaped by its history, culture, and the people living there. Discovering local quirks and traditions gives you a true feel for what life’s really like in each place.
Discovering these fun facts about Alabama gives you a glimpse into what makes the state special—and might just inspire you to move there, too.
- Founded by the French colonists in 1702, Mobile is the oldest city in the state.
- The Spanish were the first Europeans to reach Alabama. This happened in 1540. But it was the French who settled first.
- Helen Keller, born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, was the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree.
- The arrest of Rosa Parks in 1955 when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery became a key event in the civil rights movement. She is called “the mother of the civil rights movement“.
- On 15 April 1886, Montgomery, Ala. became the first U.S. city to initiate an electric streetcar system for transportation, The Capital City Street Railway, also known as the Lightning Route. The system was however retired exactly after 50 years on April 15, 1936, and was replaced by buses.
- The Saturn V, the rocket used by NASA to send people to the moon, was developed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The first Saturn V was launched in 1967. The rocket was about the height of a 36 story-tall building and weighed about the weight of about 400 elephants.
- Mary Anderson, born in Greene County, Alabama, is credited with the invention of windshield wipers. She was granted the patent for her invention in 1903. In 1922, Cadillac became the first car manufacturer to adopt them as standard equipment.
- Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of America’s original Mardi Gras. The parade originated in 1703 in port city.
- The Vulcan statue, the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, is the largest cast-iron statue in the world. The 56-foot tall statue (from toe to spear point) depicting the Roman god Vulcan is the world’s largest iron-ore statue. It weighs 101,200 pounds. The statue was designed by the Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti.
- Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American women to serve as U.S. secretary of state was born in Birmingham. Note that Birmingham is also the state’s largest city.
- The nickname the “Yellowhammer State” originates from the fact that the Confederate troops placed yellow trimmings on their uniform during the Civil War. Yellowhammers are the birds with yellow patches under their wings.
Alabama population and demographics
Thinking about moving to Alabama? Go beyond the numbers and discover what life in the Heart of Dixie really feels like.
Opting for a state with a larger population usually means more job opportunities, entertainment choices, and stronger infrastructure. On the other hand, less populated states tend to offer a quieter lifestyle and a tighter sense of community.
Looking at average education levels can help you gauge job prospects in an area and how easy it is to access schools or colleges. On the other hand, a state’s political makeup often highlights its core values and priorities.
Getting to know who lives in Alabama, what their day-to-day looks like, and what they value can help you decide if it’s a place where you’ll fit in and feel at home.
| Metric | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,108,468 |
| Female | 51.4% |
| Male | 48.3% |
| College graduation rate | 27.43% |
| Political leaning | Republican 65-35 |
| Crime index | 21.48 |
Alabama weather
Weather affects daily life in a big way, so it’s wise to factor it in when deciding if Alabama is the place for you. Checking out the average temperatures and rainfall for each season can help you plan your outdoor time, choose the right gear, and get ready for whatever the weather throws your way.
Blazing summer heat can drive up your energy bills and have you blasting the AC nonstop, while icy winters demand a well-stocked wardrobe and dependable heating. When the snow hits, you could see anything from a light dusting to a major storm that disrupts your plans and daily schedule.
Whether you crave sunshine, cooler weather, or want to steer clear of snowy winters, getting to know Alabama’s climate will help you decide if it fits your lifestyle.
| Metric | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 56″ |
| Annual snow | 1″ |
Income and cost of living in Alabama
Exploring major industries, average salaries, housing costs, and daily expenses gives you a clear picture of how practical—and budget-friendly—life in Alabama really is.
Knowing the major industries in the area helps you gauge your job opportunities and long-term career stability. Plus, since housing costs play a major role in deciding whether to rent or buy, they’re a key factor to consider when planning your move.
The cost of living index reveals how far your money goes compared to the national average. A lower index means you’ll likely pay less for basics like groceries, transportation, and housing.
These numbers don’t just sit there—they give you a real sense of how your lifestyle compares to what Alabama offers, so you can move with confidence and all the facts you need.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.6 billion)
- Real estate and rental/leasing ($23.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($22 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($15.3 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($13.2 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($12.4 billion)
- Construction ($7.8 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.2 billion)
- Utilities ($6.5 billion)
| Metric | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $925 |
| Average home cost | $227,508 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,609 |
| Cost of living index* | 88 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Alabama
If education is a key factor in your decision to move, a state’s academic institutions can say a lot about its career paths and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Alabama has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Alabama:
- The University of Alabama
- Auburn University
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Samford University
- Troy University
- Tuskegee University
- University of South Alabama
- Jacksonville State University
- University of North Alabama
- Auburn University at Montgomery
- Alabama State University
- Alabama A&M University
- Spring Hill College
- The University of West Alabama
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Alabama
After looking at 2,756 moving companies—including 40 right here in Alabama—we teamed up with real people to pinpoint the very best movers nationwide.
If you’re getting ready to move to the Heart of Dixie, check out the top moving companies that can get your stuff safely to your new place—no matter where you’re moving from.
- Arkansas to AL
- Arizona to AL
- California to AL
- Colorado to AL
- Connecticut to AL
- Delaware to AL
- Florida to AL
- Georgia to AL
- Iowa to AL
- Idaho to AL
- Illinois to AL
- Indiana to AL
- Kansas to AL
- Kentucky to AL
- Louisiana to AL
- Massachusetts to AL
- Maryland to AL
- Maine to AL
- Michigan to AL
- Minnesota to AL
- Missouri to AL
- Mississippi to AL
- Montana to AL
- North Carolina to AL
- North Dakota to AL
- Nebraska to AL
- New Hampshire to AL
- New Jersey to AL
- New Mexico to AL
- Nevada to AL
- New York to AL
- Ohio to AL
- Oklahoma to AL
- Oregon to AL
- Pennsylvania to AL
- Rhode Island to AL
- South Carolina to AL
- South Dakota to AL
- Tennessee to AL
- Texas to AL
- Utah to AL
- Virginia to AL
- Vermont to AL
- Washington to AL
- Wisconsin to AL
- West Virginia to AL
- Wyoming to AL
Cost of moving to Alabama
Before you head to Alabama, it’s a good idea to budget for your moving costs. On average, you’ll pay about $136 per hour for professional movers. The total price depends on how much stuff you’re moving and how far you’re going—long-distance moves will cost more than quick hops within the state.
How you choose to move plays a big role in how much you’ll spend.
If you’re looking to save money on your move, consider using one of the top moving container companies. You handle the packing and loading on your own schedule, while the company manages all the driving—giving you a perfect mix of flexibility and cost savings without going fully DIY or hiring a pricey full-service crew.
Want to save money? Getting a moving truck rental is your most affordable option. You’ll take care of everything yourself, from packing and loading to driving and unloading.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of moving yourself, professional interstate movers can take care of it all. Just keep in mind, this kind of convenience can come at a higher price—so it’s a good idea to compare quotes from several companies to find the best option for your wallet and your needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
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Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Alabama
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Alabama.
Alabama car insurance requirements
Alabama drivers license requirements
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