($1,152) Cost to Move From Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
2. All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
3. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
4. Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
5. Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Birmingham

When planning a move to Birmingham from Des Moines, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,152 and $4,330. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,374 and $5,600 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,783 to $7,978.

Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Birmingham

When you’re heading from Des Moines to Birmingham, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $761 and $1,960. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,396 and $2,645. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,838 to $3,455. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Iowa easier and more affordable.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Birmingham

A moving rental truck from Des Moines to Birmingham is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $551 to $1,051. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $633 to $1,325, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Des Moines to Birmingham costs around $746 to $1,484.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent is about 9% more expensive in Birmingham than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
• Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 34% cheaper in Birmingham than in Des Moines.
• You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 33% less in Birmingham than in Des Moines.
• Prepare for elevated costs in Birmingham, with the cost of living for a single person being 43% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
• When considering a family move to Birmingham, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 54% higher than in Des Moines.
• Birmingham and Des Moines have roughly the same unemployment rate (within about 5%), so you likely won’t see a major shift in job availability or competition from what you’re used to.
• Sales taxes in Birmingham surpass those in Des Moines by 43%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
• Income taxes are 14% more in Alabama than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.

• Birmingham’s population is about 72% less than Des Moines.
• Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Des Moines scores 5 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Des Moines.
• Birmingham is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 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 Des Moines, which has a score of 39.
• Birmingham’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 61.64 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 38.36 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
• Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.

• HOA rules: Costs across Des Moines and Birmingham are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Alabama, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Alabama, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
• Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Birmingham. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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

With your move to Alabama complete, you can dive right into experiencing Birmingham. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:

• Arts and culture: Birmingham is home to museums and cultural arts centers 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 spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Birmingham BaronsUAB BlazersSamford University teamsBirmingham Legion FCAlabama Youth Sports Alliance basketball leagueTragic City RollersBirmingham Bulls (SPHL)Birmingham StallionsBirmingham Squadron (NBA G League) game.