the only place I can find any threads on how to do this is in the Upgrade section. Is there an easier way?
Not an easier way that I know of.

If an exact copy - same version etc -- make a bak of the DB.

copy all the files to a folder - edit the 2 configure.php files to reflect the new location - new DB name, user & pass.

In phpmyadmin load the new empty db and import the back into it.

That should be it