Richmond, VA to Birmingham, AL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Richmond to Birmingham typically costs $2,300–$6,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 679 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Richmond to Birmingham
Moving from Richmond, VA to Birmingham, AL typically costs $2,300–$6,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 679-mile move from Richmond to Birmingham, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $3,809 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,522 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $2,759 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 04, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 01, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 01, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 17, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 05, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 04, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 23, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 18, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 13, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Richmond to Birmingham
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,700, but larger homes can run up to $8,500.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Richmond.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($600–$1,600) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA guide.
Best Richmond to Birmingham movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Richmond to Birmingham
For a stress-free interstate move from Richmond to Birmingham, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best VA→AL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 103 Virginia moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Richmond to Birmingham
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Birmingham runs about 19% higher for singles and 26% higher for families than Richmond.
Singles spend around $2,697 in Birmingham versus $2,270 in Richmond; families pay $6,727 compared with $5,336.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Richmond | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,537 | $1,542 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,539 | $2,612 |
| Average home value | $350,897 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,606 | $39,403 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,270 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,336 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 5.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 22% lower in Birmingham than in Richmond, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 64% lower in Birmingham than in Richmond.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 34% less in Birmingham than in Richmond.
- Plan for higher expenses in Birmingham, since the cost of living for a single person is 19% more than in Richmond. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Birmingham, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 26% more than it is in Richmond.
- Birmingham experiences an unemployment rate that is about 21% lower than that of Richmond. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 67% higher in Birmingham than in Richmond. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 13% lower in Alabama compared to Virginia. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Richmond with Birmingham:
| Living Expense | Richmond | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $148.21 | $211.40 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.67 | $49.55 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.95 | $4.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.66 | $3.52 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $59.72 | $47.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Richmond than in Birmingham, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Richmond than in Birmingham.
- Eggs cost more in Richmond than in Birmingham.
- Bread is more expensive in Richmond than in Birmingham.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Richmond than in Birmingham.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Richmond than in Birmingham.
- Gym memberships cost more in Richmond than in Birmingham.
How life is different in Richmond vs. Birmingham
| Richmond | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,610 | 196,644 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 51 | 31 |
| Crime index | 48.45 | 61.64 |
| Safety index | 51.55 | 38.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Birmingham's population is about 13% less than Richmond.
- Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Richmond scores 7 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Richmond.
- Birmingham is less walkable than Richmond with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Richmond's 51 out of 100.
- Birmingham has a bike-friendliness score of 31 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Richmond, which has a score of 51.
- Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Richmond with a score of 61.64 compared to Richmond's 48.45. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Richmond neighborhoods are safer than 48.45%.
- Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Richmond with a score of 38.36 vs Richmond's 51.55.
- Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Richmond it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Richmond to Birmingham move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Alabama doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Birmingham smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Birmingham
Now that you've chosen B'ham as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Birmingham to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central City
- Five Points South
- Highland Park
- Fountain Heights
- Southside
Best neighborhoods for families
- Oxmoor
- Crestwood South
- Redmont Park
Things to do in Birmingham
After getting comfortable in your new Alabama home, it's time to see what Birmingham is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Birmingham offers cultural landmarks like the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Vulcan Park and Museum, and McWane Science Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Vulcan Park and Museum, Birmingham's Railroad Park, Kelly Ingram Park, and Red Mountain Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Birmingham BaronsUAB BlazersSamford University teamsBirmingham Legion FCAlabama Youth Sports Alliance basketball leagueTragic City RollersBirmingham Bulls (SPHL)Birmingham StallionsBirmingham Squadron (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Birmingham?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Richmond to Birmingham are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Richmond are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Richmond to Birmingham?
Because spring and fall moves from Richmond to Birmingham are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Richmond to Birmingham take?
A move of 679 miles from Richmond, VA to Birmingham, AL generally takes one to six days. Movers in Richmond sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Birmingham is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Richmond offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 13 movers in Richmond have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 12 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across VA, there are 79 piano movers and 49 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
