($1,316+) Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL ranges from $1,267 to $11,873, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,316 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,320 miles and usually takes 7 to 18 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Sacramento to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,267 - $11,873 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,320 miles and typically takes 7 to 18 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,320-mile route from Sacramento to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,267 - $5,774 | $1,772 - $3,158 | $1,342 - $2,620 | $1,549 - $3,076 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,634 - $7,306 | $2,141 - $4,479 | $1,454 - $3,059 | $1,765 - $3,802 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,562 - $11,873 | $3,062 - $5,948 | $1,676 - $3,459 | $2,353 - $5,105 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,320-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,267 - $11,873. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $333 - $2,220. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Sacramento and Birmingham. Local movers in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $5,774
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,634 - $7,306
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,562 - $11,873
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Sacramento to Birmingham.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $555 - $5,550 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $222 - $1,332/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $333 - $2,664 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,110 - $3,330 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,775 - $11,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $831 - $1,580 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Fuller Moving Services | $1,110 - $2,775 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $888 - $3,885 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $333 - $1,665 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $722 - $2,220 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $333 - $16,650+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $333 - $3,885+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Birmingham?
Look for Alabama Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Alabama beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Sacramento, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,772 and $5,948. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Birmingham. If you go over that window, storage in Sacramento adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,772 - $3,158
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,141 - $4,479
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,062 - $5,948
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $167 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $777 in Sacramento, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Birmingham, AL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Alabama move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,772. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,141 - $4,479.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to Birmingham?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Sacramento to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,320 miles from Sacramento, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, running $1,342 - $3,459. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $819 - $936
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Sacramento to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,342 - $2,620
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,454 - $3,059
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,459
Pro tip: A rental truck from Sacramento to Birmingham looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,342 - $3,459. But once you factor in fuel ($819 - $936), overnight lodging ($167/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $777.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $819 - $936 for the 2,320-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $67 and $361, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $167 per night for hotel stops on the 2,320-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $333 - $500.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to Birmingham?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Sacramento, California, to Birmingham, Alabama. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,765 and $3,802.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,549 - $3,076
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,353 - $5,105
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $83 and $167.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for roughly five hours typically average $777.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Birmingham quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Sacramento, CA vs Birmingham, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Birmingham, side by side with Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 38.36/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Alabama, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,320-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Sacramento, CA, to Birmingham, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,267 for a studio to $11,873 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,320-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,772 - $5,948. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,342 - $3,459, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,634 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to Birmingham, AL
What are the best neighborhoods in Birmingham?
For families, Oxmoor, Crestwood South, and Redmont Park are worth a look in Birmingham. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central City, Five Points South, and Highland Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 49 and 67 in Sacramento. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Birmingham a safe place to live?
Birmingham has a safety index of 38.36 out of 100 and a crime index of 61.64, compared to 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to Birmingham, AL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Alabama also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.