Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Chicago to Birmingham typically costs $2,500–$6,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 662 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Chicago to Birmingham
Moving from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL typically costs $2,500–$6,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 662-mile move from Chicago 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
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $3,967 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $2,331 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $1,024 for a 4 bedroom using a rental truck.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 01, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 26, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 15, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 12, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 07, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 18, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Chicago 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 $1,600, but larger homes can run up to $8,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Chicago.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($500–$1,500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Birmingham, AL to Chicago, IL guide.
Best Chicago to Birmingham movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Chicago to Birmingham
For a stress-free interstate move from Chicago 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 IL→AL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 100 Illinois 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 Chicago to Birmingham
Many movers find Birmingham easier on the wallet than Chicago - roughly 26% less for singles and 27% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,697 for one person in Birmingham versus $3,648 in Chicago. For a family of four, it's $6,727 compared with $9,266.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Chicago | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,368 | $1,542 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,581 | $2,612 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $39,403 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,648 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $9,266 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 5.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 39% lower in Birmingham than in Chicago, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 57% lower in Birmingham than in Chicago.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 45% less in Birmingham than in Chicago.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Birmingham, where the cost of living for a single person is 26% less than in Chicago.
- Moving to Birmingham could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 27% less than in Chicago.
- Birmingham experiences an unemployment rate that is about 38% lower than that of Chicago. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are similar in Birmingham and Chicago (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Income taxes are quite comparable between Alabama and Illinois, being within a range of about 5%. This similarity helps to maintain steady financial outflows, providing a smooth transition phase.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Chicago with Birmingham:
| Living Expense | Chicago | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $191.26 | $211.40 |
| Cell phone plan | $61.10 | $49.55 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.52 | $4.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.15 | $3.52 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $78.31 | $47.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Chicago than in Birmingham, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Chicago than in Birmingham.
- Eggs cost more in Chicago than in Birmingham.
- Bread is more expensive in Chicago than in Birmingham.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Chicago than in Birmingham.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Chicago than in Birmingham.
- Gym memberships cost more in Chicago than in Birmingham.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Birmingham
| Chicago | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 196,644 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 72 | 31 |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 61.64 |
| Safety index | 33.87 | 38.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Birmingham's population is about 93% less than Chicago.
- Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Chicago scores 9 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Chicago.
- Birmingham is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 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 Chicago, which has a score of 72.
- Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 61.64 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Birmingham is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 38.36 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Chicago it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Chicago to Birmingham are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Chicago are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Birmingham?
Because spring and fall moves from Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham take?
A move of 662 miles from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL generally takes one to six days. Movers in Chicago sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Birmingham is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Chicago?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Chicago offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 54 movers in Chicago have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 40 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IL, there are 70 piano movers and 48 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.
