($161+) Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $161 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,822 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 147 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $668, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $4,822 or more.
- Moving containers run $737 - $1,987, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $161 - $333.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,265 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Chattanooga to Birmingham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,265 - $3,612. Containers cost roughly 28% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 87% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 147 miles, expect 1 to 2 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 147-mile route from Chattanooga to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $668 - $3,148 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($737 - $1,235), rental truck ($161 - $245), or freight trailer ($623 - $1,167). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,265 - $3,612 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $4,822.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
For the 147-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $668 and $4,822. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $266 - $1,776 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Chattanooga generally start around $280 plus $99 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $668 - $3,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $3,612
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,672 - $4,822
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 Chattanooga to Birmingham.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Chattanooga movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing69% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs63% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type31% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to Birmingham?
Movers licensed to operate in Alabama are typically members of the Alabama Trucking Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Chattanooga, TN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chattanooga to Birmingham with a local mover averages $1,240 - $3,540. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Chattanooga, TN can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.7/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Chattanooga, ranked #1 in Tennessee, based on our analysis of feedback from 726 customers, 94.1% of which is positive.
Address: 2000 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37406 | Founded: 2013
Moving container costs from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $737 and $1,987. 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 Chattanooga typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $737 - $1,235
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $909 - $1,768
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,182 - $1,987
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chattanooga, TN and Birmingham, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $622 in Chattanooga, TN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $133 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $737. 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 $909 - $1,768.
What are the best moving containers Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Plan on $161 - $333 for a rental moving truck on the 147-mile route from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $42 - $47
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.99
| 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 Chattanooga to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $161 - $245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $165 - $301
- 4+ bedrooms: $188 - $333
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chattanooga to Birmingham starts at $161 - $333, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($42 - $47), overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $622.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $42 - $47 for the 147-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 $53 and $289, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $133 per night for hotel stops on the 147-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $266 - $400.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Birmingham, Alabama.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $728 and $1,293.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $623 - $1,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $728 - $1,293
- 4+ bedrooms: $917 - $1,638
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $67 - $133 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, typically costs $622.
What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga 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: If speed matters on your move from Chattanooga to Birmingham, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chattanooga, TN vs Birmingham, AL
Chattanooga and Birmingham land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 90 in Chattanooga and 87 in Birmingham, and average rent is $1,475/mo vs. $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 29 vs 33 and safety scores are 46.11 vs 38.36.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Chattanooga, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Alabama over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 181 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 147-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $668 - $4,822 on the 147-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $737 - $1,987, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $161 - $333. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,265 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL
What is the best time of year to move from Chattanooga, TN 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chattanooga, TN 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.
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 46.11 and 53.89 in Chattanooga. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 29 and 35 in Chattanooga. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 percentage of Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 31% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.