Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to ALtoggle

There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Alabama 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 Iowa 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 IA to AL

If you’re moving to Alabama from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Alabama

Iowa Alabama
Average rent cost $914 $925
Average home cost $220,277 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 89 88
Unemployment rate 3.0% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 9.22%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 1% more expensive in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 3% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 16% lower in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 3%.
  • Sales taxes are 33% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 14% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.

How life is different in Alabama vs. Iowa

Alabama Iowa
Population 5,108,468 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Republican 53-45
Summer high 91ºF 84ºF
Winter low 33ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 56" 35"
Annual snow 1" 30"
Crime index 21.48 16.18
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 59% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 21.48 vs. 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Alabama

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Alabama compared to Iowa.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Alabama
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Tasty southern comfort food
High quality of education Bountiful recreational opportunities
No traffic Top-notch college football
Beautiful outdoors Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Alabama

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 Iowa for Alabama.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Alabama
Severe weather conditions Poor quality of life
Limited recreational opportunities Severe weather
High taxes Restrictive alcohol laws
High emphasis on politics Poor healthcare
Rustic food Cockroaches

Other things to consider for your Iowa to Alabama movetoggle

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
  • 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: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Alabama 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 Alabama. 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. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Alabamatoggle

While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 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
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Alabama?toggle

Hiring a full-service Iowa 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 Iowa to Alabama?toggle

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 Iowa to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Alabama?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Alabama?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Alabama. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 1% less and home prices 3% lower than in Alabama. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Alabama residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Alabama?toggle

You should make approximately $55,474 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Alabama. The cost of living in Alabama is approximately $2,392 per month for an individual and $3,855 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Alabama you live For example, larger cities like Huntsville and Montgomery will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources