Things to know before moving from Alabama to St. Louis, MO

Cost of living: Alabama vs St. Louis, MO

Alabama St. Louis
Average rent cost $925 $1,250
Average home value $227,508 $171,463
Average income (per capita) $59,609 $66,090
Unemployment rate 3% 6%
State income tax 5% 5%
  • Rent is about 35% more expensive in St. Louis than in Alabama.
  • Home prices are about 25% lower in St. Louis than in Alabama.
  • The average income is about 11% higher in St. Louis than in Alabama.
  • St. Louis has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 117%.
  • Income taxes are 4% lower in St. Louis than in Alabama.

How life is different in St. Louis from Alabama

St. Louis Alabama
Population 293,310 5,108,468
Political leaning Republican 58-42 Republican 65-35
Summer high 89ºF 91ºF
Winter low 23ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 42" 56"
Annual snow 16" 1"
Crime index 69.65 21.48
  • The population of St. Louis is approximately 94% lower than the population of Alabama.
  • In the last presidential election, St. Louis voted Republican and Alabama voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in St. Louis is 89ºF and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, St. Louis reaches the temperature of 23ºF and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 42 inches of annual rainfall in St. Louis vs 56 inches of rainfall in Alabama.
  • In St. Louis, it snows about 16 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in Alabama.
  • St. Louis has a higher crime rate than Alabama with a crime index of 69.65 vs 21.48.

Things to do in St. Louis

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in St. Louis.

Museums in St. Louistoggle

  • City Museum
  • Saint Louis Art Museum
  • The Magic House
  • Saint Louis Science Center
  • Missouri History Museum
  • The National Museum of Transportation
  • Missouri Civil War Museum
  • National Blues Museum
  • Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Museum of Westward Expansion
  • Campbell House Museum
  • Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum

Parks in St. Louistoggle

  • Missouri Botanical Garden
  • St. Louis Zoo
  • Forest Park
  • Lone Elk Park
  • Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
  • Gateway Arch National Park
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park
  • Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
  • Tower Grove Park
  • Jefferson Barracks Historic Park

Sports Teams in St. Louistoggle

  • St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB)
  • St. Louis Blues (NHL)
  • St. Louis City SC (MLS)
  • St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL)

Universities in St. Louistoggle

  • University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Saint Louis University
  • St. Louis Community College
  • Harris–Stowe State University
  • Fontbonne University
  • Webster University
  • Missouri Baptist University
  • University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy
  • Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
  • Lindenwood University

Other considerations when moving to St. Louis, MO

  • Weather: St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Missouri moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Missouri does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Missouri. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Alabama vs. St. Louis, MO

Comparing the pros of Alabama vs. St. Louis, MO:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Alabama vs St. Louis side-by-side.

Pros of living in Alabama Pros of living in St. Louis, MO
Low cost of living Rich culture
Tasty southern comfort food Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Bountiful recreational opportunities Quality public transportation
Top-notch college football Low cost of living
Rich history Friendly people

Comparing the cons of living in Alabama vs. St. Louis, MO:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Alabama for St. Louis.

Cons of living in Alabama Cons of living in St. Louis, MO
Poor quality of life Poor education
Severe weather High crime rate
Restrictive alcohol laws Urban sprawl
Poor healthcare Lack of economic opportunity
Cockroaches Pervasive poverty

FAQ

How long does a move from Alabama to St. Louis take?

The time frame for a move from Alabama to St. Louis, MO, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Alabama, the longer the drive time to St. Louis will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to St. Louis from Alabama can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Alabama to St. Louis?

Because of the 598-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Alabama to St. Louis as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to St. Louis, MO?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 23ºF, most people move to St. Louis from Alabama during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to St. Louis during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources