($278+) Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $301 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,908 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 245 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 $953, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,908 or more.
- Moving containers run $878 - $2,694, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $301 - $744.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,681 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 Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Memphis to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,681 - $4,544 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 245 miles and typically takes 1 to 2 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 245-mile route from Memphis to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $953 - $3,943 | $878 - $1,588 | $301 - $508 | $821 - $1,442 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,681 - $4,544 | $1,099 - $2,116 | $310 - $620 | $923 - $1,709 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,183 - $5,908 | $1,535 - $2,694 | $382 - $744 | $1,111 - $2,176 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 245-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $953 - $5,908. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $259 - $1,728. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Memphis and Birmingham. Local movers in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $953 - $3,943
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,681 - $4,544
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,183 - $5,908
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 Memphis to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $432 - $4,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $173 - $1,037/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $259 - $2,074 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $864 - $2,592 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,160 - $8,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $647 - $1,229 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $864 - $2,160 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $691 - $3,024 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $259 - $1,296 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage | $562 - $1,728 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $259 - $12,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $259 - $3,024+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis 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.
How much do local movers cost in Memphis, TN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Memphis to Birmingham with a local mover averages $1,665 - $4,499. Working with a local mover based in Memphis, TN often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
The Armstrong Company (4.56/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Memphis, ranked #9 in Tennessee, based on our analysis of feedback from 213 customers, 91.1% of which is positive.
Address: 4690 Hungerford Road, Memphis, TN, 38118 | Founded: 1957
Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $878 and $2,694. 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 Memphis adds around $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $878 - $1,588
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,099 - $2,116
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,535 - $2,694
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Memphis, 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 $605 in Memphis, TN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $65 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $130 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 $878. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,099 - $2,116, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
- Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
Truck rentals from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, range from $301 - $744 for the 245-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $67 - $77
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Memphis to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $301 - $508
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $310 - $620
- 4+ bedrooms: $382 - $744
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $301 - $744 when pricing out a rental truck from Memphis to Birmingham. Fuel alone runs ($67 - $77) , and overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $65 and $302.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $130.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $67 and $77 for the 245-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $605 for 2 movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis 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 Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Memphis, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $923 and $1,709.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,442
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $923 - $1,709
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,111 - $2,176
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $65 - $130 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 Memphis, Tennessee, typically costs $605.
What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Empire Express, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Empire Express, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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: Memphis, TN vs Birmingham, AL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Memphis and Birmingham to plan around. Cost of living index: 86 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,299/mo vs. $1,250/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 35 vs. 33. Safety index: 22.51 vs. 38.36.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Memphis, 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 70 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 245-mile move.
Our take
The 245-mile move from Memphis, TN, to Birmingham, AL, costs between $953 and $5,908 with full-service movers, $878 - $2,694 with a moving container, and $301 - $744 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,681 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, 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 long does a move from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Birmingham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Memphis, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $953 to $5,908, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $953 and $5,908, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
