Things to Know Before Moving To Alabama

What is it like to live in Alabama? Nicknamed as the “Heart of Dixie”, the southeastern state boasts of a rich historic past, mouth-watering cuisines, & breathtaking topography and you’re gonna love to be a part of the Alabama experience.

Before you pack the bags to the ‘Yellowhammer State’, it is important to know the state in detail. To help you out, we put together everything you need to know before moving to Alabama.

What is Alabama known for?

Alabama is rich – economically, culturally, and historically. The 52,419-square mile state is the 30th largest in the area and about 5 million people call it their home.

Here are a few facts for which Alabama is known for.

• Alabama has a rich historic past

The state’s role in the history of the US is vital. It was the birthplace of the Confederate States of America in 1861, which led to the historic Civil War. The famous Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 also happened in Alabama, making way for the Civil Rights Movement. Many protests took place in Alabama under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.

Interestingly, in 1836, Alabama was the first U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, more than 30 years before it was declared an official U.S. holiday.

• The state is highly industrialized

A rich and highly industrialized state, Alabama is home to some of the best corporate offices. The major business sectors in Alabama include banking, telecommunication, power transmission. The state is the only provider of natural resources in the US required to make iron and steel and this makes Alabama the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products in the country. Check to know more about industries and top careers in Alabama.

• Alabama has robust sports, arts, and food scenes 

Alabama played a crucial role in the development of blues, jazz, and country music around the world. In addition, the state’s sports culture is also highly vibrant that even interclub rivalries make headlines often. Football is not a sports event but a way of life in Alabama. 

The state’s hospitality is one of the best in the US. It is fueled by the delicious Alabaman cuisine rich in seafood and barbeque. Alabama is the only US state to have an alcoholic beverage as its official drink –  Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.

• Alabama has a good education system

Alabama’s education system is perhaps one of the best in the US and the state has many top-rated colleges and universities. 

What are the best places to live in Alabama?

Moving to Alabama, you must settle at the best place in the state. To help you out, we’ve compiled the best neighbourhoods in the state, saving your time from searching for the best places to live in Alabama before or after your reach there

Here are the 10 best places to live in the ‘Yellowhammer State’

Rank	City	Population	Unemployment Rate	Home Value
1	Madison	49,327	3.8%	$253,000
2	Mountain Brook	20,436	1.7%	$628,800
3	Homewood	25,534	2.7%	$347,800
4	Vestavia Hills	34,307	2.0%	$376,200
5	Fairhope	21,083	4.6%	$299,200
6	Pike Road	9,320	2.5%	$300,000
7	Daphne	25,901	3.4%	$201,400
8	Orange Beach	6,019	3.7%	$297,800
9	Muscle Shoals	14,103	3.5%	$147,100
10	Millbrook	15,645	3.0%	$154,300

Which are the cheapest places to live in Alabama?

Often when reaching Alabama, you won’t be in a mood to shell out a big amount for accommodation, and finding a cheap neighbourhood would be the priority. Knowing this, we have compiled a list of the cheapest places to live in Alabama.

The 10 cheapest places to live in Alabama in 2023

Rank	City	Population	Home value
1	Lincoln	6,600	$116,600
2	Tuscumbia	8,426	$108,800
3	Russellville	9,711	$93,700
4	Roanoke	5,941	$78,900
5	Attalla	5,847	$70,900
6	Hamilton	6,664	$97,000
7	Hartselle	14,405	137,600
8	Clay	9,708	$148,800
9	Pinson	7,121	$1,30,000
10	Glencoe	5,120	$142,200

How much it cost to live in Alabama

Living in Alabama is much cheaper than most of the US states as the ‘Lizard State’ is the 12^th least expensive state. The goods and services in Alabama are 13% cheaper than the national average. In addition, the state has the second-lowest property tax in the US.

Here’s how the cost of living in Alabama looks like.

Cost of living	Alabama	United States
Overall	82.3	100
Grocery	94.4	100
Health	102.2	100
Housing	55.9	100
Utilities	101.2	100
Transportation	85.9	100
Miscellaneous	94.5	100

What to do in Alabama?

Alabama is one of the best places to call your home as the state is packed with both outdoor and indoor attractions associated with history, culture, arts, and serene nature.

Here are some of the best things to do in Alabama if you’re moving to the state:

• Visit the US Space and Rocket Center 
• Tour the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail 
• Explore the Birmingham Zoo
• Catch a glimpse of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
• Visit the McWane Science Center
• Tour the Gulf Shores
• Explore the Huntsville Botanical Gardens
• Visit the Cheaha State Park 
• Go to see the Point Mallard Park 
• Tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
• Visit the Mobile History Museum
• Appreciate the arts at Paul W. Bryant Museum
• Take a walk through the Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
• Explore Montgomery Civil Rights Landmarks
• Visit the McWane Science Center

How is the food scene in Alabama?

Alabamans love to eat and make you eat. And it is true that you won’t stay hungry anywhere in the state. From the meltingly tender BBQ pork of northern Alabama to the seafood, shrimp, and oysters of the Gulf Coast, the food scene in Alabama is rich and boisterous.

Here is a list of some of the delicious cuisines in Alabama not to be missed.

• Grits
• BBQ pulled pork
• Country fried steak
• Green fried tomatoes
• Banana pudding
• Fried catfish
• Pecan pie
• Shrimp
• Peach cobbler
• Skillet cornbread

Where to eat in Alabama?

When you crave to reish the authentic Alabaman cuisine, rush to a nearby restaurant that serves it hot. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top restaurants in Alabama to try the real Alabaman flavor. 

• Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham
• Los Dos Hermanos Taco Truck, Birmingham
• The Hungry Owl, Mobile
• Tortugas Pizza, Hoover
• Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur
• The Original Oyster House, Spanish Fort
• Ollie Irene, Mountain Brook
• Carrigan’s Public House, Birmingham
• Catalina Bayou, Bayou La Batre
• Kitchen on George, Mobile

 What are the big cities in Alabama?

As you have a plan to move to Alabama, it is important to know that the state is divided into 67 counties, and includes 460 incorporated municipalities, 291 towns, and 169 cities. Just 9.6% of Alabama are urban but about 60% of the population resides here. 

We’ve got a list of 10 biggest cities in Alabama. 

Rank	City	Population	Area (miles²)	Density	County
1	Birmingham	212,113	148.61	1,438.12	Montgomery
2	Montgomery	201,332	162.26	1,241.21	Mobile
3	Mobile	194,899	180.06	1,353.19	Madison
4	Huntsville	186,254	218.90	959	Limestone
5	Tuscaloosa	95,334	71.92	1,635.07	Tuscaloosa
6	Hoover	84,126	49.42	1,769.98	Jefferson, Shelby
7	Dothan	68,001	90.08	732.6	Houston
8	Auburn	58,582	61.57	1,094.43	Lee
9	Decatur	55,816	60.72	1,005.26	Morgan, Limestone
10	Madison	45,799	30.45	1,725.58	Madison, Limestone

What are the best places to retire in Alabama?

Retirees prefer locations with proximity to major cities, hospitals, outdoor locations, and entertainment. The low crime rate, supported by an affordable lifestyle and comfortable climate also play a major factor in determining retirement-friendly destinations. We’ve filtered out 10 places in Alabama that retirees prefer calling their new homes.

Rank	City	Population	Median house value	Median rent	Median household income
1	Orange Beach	21,083	$299,200	$1,196	$75,197
2	Fairhope	21,083	$299,200	$1,196	$75,197
3	Gulf Shores	12,267	$243,100	$1,086	$53,476
4	Indian Springs Village	2,549	$367,200	$1,182	$119,091
5	Mountain Brook	20,436	$628,800	$1,561	$152,355
6	Vestavia Hills	34,307	$376,200	$1,218	$109,485
7	Rainbow City	9,589	$166,100	$797	$50,547
8	Falkville	1,348	$86,800	$692	$42,813
9	Foley	18,533	$177,600	$855	$43,614
10	Helena	18,463	$195,100	$1,341	$87,781

Markets and healthcare centers at retiree-friendly cities

It is important that retiree-friendly places have markets and healthcare centers close by. To help you, we’ve compiled the best hospitals and markets at top retiree-friendly places in Alabama.

The best hospitals and markets at top 10 places to retire in Alabama

City	Hospitals	Markets
Orange Beach	South Baldwin Regional Medical CenterNaval Hospital PensacolaBaptist HospitalThomas HospitalWest Florida Hospital	Rouses MarketsWalmart Neighborhood MarketBlalock Seafood Orange BeachCoastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermans MarketPalafor Market
Fairhope	Family Practice Associates of Montrose PAGulf Health HospitalsMedStar Harbor HospitalMedStar Harbor HospitalSouth Baldwin Regional Medical Center	Greer’s Fairhope MarketWindmill MarketMcKenzie Farm Produce StandPierce Street MarketAhi Seafood Market
Gulf Shores	Springhill Medical CenterInfirmary Long Term Acute Care HospitalUSA Medical CenterWest Florida rehabilitation Institution Hospital	Rouses MarketGulf Coast Farmers MarketOyster House Boardwalk & Trading Co
Indian Springs Village	MedHelp Alabama Nasal And Sinus CenterChildren’s South Paediatric Outpatient Center	West Homewood Farmers MarketIrondale Farm Stand Stone Hollow FarmsteadEast Lake Market
Mountain Brook	Cooper Green HospitalUAB HospitalUniversity Hospital-UABUAB Womens and Infants	Pepper Place Farmers MarketLocal Source Market & GroceryPublix Super MarketHarvest Market
Vestavia Hills	Princeton Baptist CenterGrandview Faculty Practice ClinicShelby Baptist Medical CenterCitizens Baptist Medical Center	Walmart Neighborhood MarketWinn-Dixie-Cahaba HeightsSnapper Grabbers Land & Sea Liberty ParkPublix Super Markets-Patchwork Farms
Rainbow City	Gadsden Regional Medical CenterMarshall Medical Center SouthStringfellow Memorial Hospital	Rainbow International MarketGuntersville Farmers MarketWest Homewood Farmers MarketAnniston Farmers Market
Falkville	Huntsville Hospital for Women & ChildrenBradford Health ServicesMadison HospitalAlabama Emg LLCSt Vincents Blount	BelkKohl’sFive BelowSears
Foley	University HospitalSpringfield Medical CenterHealthworks of Thomas Hospital	Foley Riviera SquareTanger OutletsThe Spice and Tea ExchangeAcai Berry FashionsAmerican Eagle Outfitters
Helena	Medical West Main CampusGrandview Medical CenterEncompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby CountyMedical West Bessemer Health Center	Helena Market DaysFarmers Markets in Shelby CountyWalmart Neighborhood Market

What are the pros and cons of living in Alabama?

With a rich economy, spectacular outdoors, unlimited entertainment options, stunning food scene, and low cost of living, Alabama is definitely one of the most sought-after destinations to settle in. However, before you make up your mind to settle in the ‘Heart of Dixie’, it is important to know the pros and cons of living in Alabama.

To help you, we’ve put together the pros and cons of living in Alabama.

Pros of living in Alabama	Cons of living in Alabama
There is a great food scene in Alabama	Be on the lookout for cockroaches
There are about 60 miles of shoreline	Some places aren’t open on Sunday in Alabama
Alabama has a rich history	The weather can easily take a bad turn
There are tons of festivals	Tornadoes and hurricanes hit Alabama every year
College football is a religion in Alabama	Getting beer isn’t that easy in Alabama
It’s a great place for veterans	Alcohol is banned in some counties
Low housing costs	Tornadoes and hurricanes are common

How far is Birmingham, Alabama?

Birmingham is the economic center of Alabama. Knowing its distance from different US cities will help in analyzing the connectivity. 

Here’s a list of major US cities and their distance from Birmingham.

City	Distance from Birmingham
Montgomery	85 miles
Tallahassee	259 miles
Dover	738 miles
Atlanta	140 miles
Austin	680 miles
Oklahoma City	624 miles
Boston	1,050 miles
Sacramento	1,957 miles
Phoenix	1,453 miles
Richmond	594 miles