($1,443+) Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $1,443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,269 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,535 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,713, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $13,269 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,889 - $6,663, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,443 - $3,882.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,124 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Tacoma to Birmingham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $4,124 - $8,744. Moving containers run about 41% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 65% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,535-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,535-mile route from Tacoma to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,713 - $6,410, container $1,889 - $3,417, rental truck $1,443 - $2,630, freight trailer $1,604 - $3,139.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,124 - $8,744, container $2,426 - $4,657, rental truck $1,441 - $3,357, freight trailer $1,959 - $3,726.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $8,067 - $13,269, container $3,051 - $6,663, rental truck $1,936 - $3,882, freight trailer $2,467 - $5,278.
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 Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,535-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $2,713 - $13,269. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $326 - $2,172. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Tacoma and Birmingham. Local movers in Tacoma typically start around $316 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,713 - $6,410
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,124 - $8,744
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,067 - $13,269
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 Tacoma to Birmingham.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma 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 packing68% of local movers | $543 - $5,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $217 - $1,303/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,606 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,086 - $3,258 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,715 - $10,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $813 - $1,545 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,086 - $2,715 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $869 - $3,801 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $326 - $1,629 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $706 - $2,172 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,801+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tacoma, WA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,889 and $6,663. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Tacoma typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,889 - $3,417
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,426 - $4,657
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,051 - $6,663
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $81 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $163 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Birmingham, AL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $760 in Tacoma, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,889. 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 $2,426 - $4,657.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
A rental truck for this 2,535-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,443 and $3,882. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $876 - $1,001
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,443 - $2,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,441 - $3,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,882
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,443 - $3,882 when pricing out a rental truck from Tacoma to Birmingham. Fuel alone runs $876 - $1,001, and overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tacoma, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $760.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $876 - $1,001 for the 2,535-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 $65 and $353, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $163 per night for hotel stops on the 2,535-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $326 - $489.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL
For larger DIY moves from Tacoma, Washington, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Birmingham, Alabama.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,959 and $3,726.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,139
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,959 - $3,726
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,467 - $5,278
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $81 - $163 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about five hours typically runs $760.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Birmingham fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA 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 Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 38.36/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Tacoma, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington to Alabama, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 279 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 2,535-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Tacoma, WA, to Birmingham, AL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,713 - $13,269 on the 2,535-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,889 - $6,663 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,443 - $3,882 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,124 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Birmingham, AL
How long does a move from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,441 - $3,357. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.