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Factors affecting the cost of moving from AL to NY
There are many factors that influence Alabama moving costs. The cost to move from Alabama to New York will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Alabama is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from AL to NY
If you’re moving to New York from Alabama, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Alabama vs. New York
| Alabama | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $925 | $1,507 |
| Average home cost | $227,508 | $482,742 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,609 | $81,386 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.22% | 8.52% |
| State Income Tax | 5.0% | 10.9% |
- Rent is about 63% more expensive in New York than in Alabama.
- Home prices are about 112% higher in New York than in Alabama.
- The average income is about 37% higher in New York than in Alabama.
- Cost of living is 14% lower in New York than in Alabama.
- New York has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 52%.
- Sales taxes are 8% lower in New York than in Alabama.
- Income taxes are 118% higher in New York than in Alabama.
How life is different in New York vs. Alabama
| New York | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,571,216 | 5,108,468 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 60-40 | Republican 65-35 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 16ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 56" |
| Annual snow | 62" | 1" |
| Crime index | 21.51 | 21.48 |
- The population of New York is approximately 283% greater than the population of Alabama.
- In the last presidential election, New York voted Democratic and Alabama voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in New York is 81ºF and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, New York reaches the temperature of 16ºF and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
- You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in New York versus 56 inches of rainfall in Alabama.
- In New York, it snows about 62 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in Alabama.
- New York has a higher crime rate than Alabama with a crime index of 21.51 vs. 21.48.
Comparing the pros of Alabama vs. New York
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New York compared to Alabama.
| Pros of living in Alabama | Pros of living in New York |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Natural beauty |
| Tasty southern comfort food | Arts |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Ample economic opportunity |
| Top-notch college football | Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities |
| Rich history | Distinct seasons |
Comparing the cons of living in Alabama vs. New York
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Alabama for New York.
| Cons of living in Alabama | Cons of living in New York |
|---|---|
| Poor quality of life | High tax burden |
| Severe weather | Rough winter weather |
| Restrictive alcohol laws | High cost of living |
| Poor healthcare | Poor quality healthcare |
| Cockroaches | Populous |
Other things to consider for your Alabama to New York move
- Weather: The climate of New York state is generally has warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the farther southeastern portion of the state (New York City and Long Island area) hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of New York state, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
- 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: New York 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New York. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in New York
While you’re in New York, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Times Square
- Statue of Liberty
- Niagara Falls
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- Hudson Valley
- Letchworth State Park
- Adirondack Mountains
- Thousand Islands
- Finger Lakes
- Watkins Glen State Park
- Lake Placid
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Coney Island
- The Bronx Zoo
- Ausable Chasm
- Corning Museum of Glass
- Lake George
- Darwin D. Martin House Complex
- Cooperstown
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Alabama to New York?
Hiring a full-service Alabama moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Alabama to New York?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Alabama to New York separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Alabama to New York?
The main reasons people are moving from Alabama to New York are the amazing upsides of living in New York such as natural beauty and arts.
Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or New York?
It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in New York. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 39% less and home prices 53% lower than in New York. Taxes are also lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by New York residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New York?
You should make approximately $39,029 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New York. The cost of living in New York is approximately $5,700 per month for an individual and $13,509 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New York you live For example, larger cities like New York City and Brooklyn will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
