Factors affecting the cost of moving from TN to ALtoggle

There are many factors that influence Tennessee moving costs. The cost to move from Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 TN to AL

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

Cost of living: Tennessee vs. Alabama

Tennessee Alabama
Average rent cost $1,047 $925
Average home cost $319,208 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 0 88
Unemployment rate 3.3% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 9.55% 9.22%
State Income Tax 0.0% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 12% less expensive in Alabama than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 29% lower in Alabama than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Alabama than in Tennessee.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in Alabama than in Tennessee.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 12%.
  • Sales taxes are 3% lower in Alabama than in Tennessee.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Alabama than in Tennessee.

How life is different in Alabama vs. Tennessee

Alabama Tennessee
Population 5,108,468 7,126,489
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Republican 64-36
Summer high 91ºF 88ºF
Winter low 33ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 56" 53"
Annual snow 1" 5"
Crime index 21.48 29.24
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 28% lower than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 53 inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 5 inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • Alabama has a lower crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 21.48 vs. 29.24.

Comparing the pros of Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

Pros of living in Tennessee Pros of living in Alabama
Abundant recreational opportunities Low cost of living
No income taxes Tasty southern comfort food
Legendary music scene Bountiful recreational opportunities
Natural beauty and parks galore Top-notch college football
Delicious southern comfort food Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee 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 Tennessee for Alabama.

Cons of living in Tennessee Cons of living in Alabama
Tendency for severe weather Poor quality of life
Oppressive summer heat and humidity Severe weather
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants Restrictive alcohol laws
Traffic congestion Poor healthcare
High urban crime rates Cockroaches

Other things to consider for your Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Alabama?toggle

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

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

The main reasons people are moving from Tennessee 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 Tennessee or Alabama?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Alabama. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 12% less and home prices 28.7% lower than in Tennessee. Tennessee has no income tax.

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