Factors affecting the cost of moving from NJ to ALtoggle

There are many factors that influence New Jersey moving costs. The cost to move from New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 NJ to AL

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

Cost of living: New Jersey vs. Alabama

New Jersey Alabama
Average rent cost $1,368 $925
Average home cost $534,773 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $97,126 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 114 88
Unemployment rate 4.7% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.6% 9.22%
State Income Tax 10.7% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 32% less expensive in Alabama than in New Jersey.
  • Home prices are about 57% lower in Alabama than in New Jersey.
  • The average income is about 39% lower in Alabama than in New Jersey.
  • Cost of living is 23% lower in Alabama than in New Jersey.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than New Jersey by about 38%.
  • Sales taxes are 40% higher in Alabama than in New Jersey.
  • Income taxes are 53% lower in Alabama than in New Jersey.

How life is different in Alabama vs. New Jersey

Alabama New Jersey
Population 5,108,468 9,290,841
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Democratic 52-46.1
Summer high 91ºF 85ºF
Winter low 33ºF 22ºF
Annual rain 56" 48"
Annual snow 1" 23"
Crime index 21.48 16.2
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 45% lower than the population of New Jersey.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and New Jersey voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in New Jersey, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and New Jersey gets down to 22ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 48 inches of rainfall in New Jersey.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 23 inches of snow in New Jersey.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than New Jersey with a crime index of 21.48 vs. 16.2.

Comparing the pros of New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

Pros of living in New Jersey Pros of living in Alabama
Bountiful recreational opportunities Low cost of living
Diversity Tasty southern comfort food
World-class entertainment Bountiful recreational opportunities
Leading education Top-notch college football
Superb health care Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in New Jersey 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 New Jersey for Alabama.

Cons of living in New Jersey Cons of living in Alabama
Extreme weather Poor quality of life
Congested population Severe weather
High cost of living Restrictive alcohol laws
High tax burden Poor healthcare
Terrible traffic Cockroaches

Other things to consider for your New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Alabama?toggle

Hiring a full-service New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from New Jersey to Alabama?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from New Jersey 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 New Jersey or Alabama?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in New Jersey. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 32% less and home prices 57.5% lower than in New Jersey. Taxes are also lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by New Jersey 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