Cheapest Movers in Athens, AL (2025 Guide)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: After comparing 33 moving companies in Alabama, our recommended local mover in Athens, AL, is Bellhop Moving thanks to their pricing, variety of moving solutions, and great customer reviews. Safeway Moving earns our top pick for out-of-state or long-distance moves from Alabama because they are affordable without cutting corners on service.

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I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.

Preferred partner:

Bellhop Moving

4.72
Best local AL mover:

Applewhite Movers LLC

4.76
Best interstate mover:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best DIY moving option:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

Need more help? Build your move plan.

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Bellhop Moving	Get A Quote	4.72 / 5
Flex Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.42 / 5
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5

Our track record

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

Founded in 2015
3,500+ moving companies analyzed
$50,000 in moving grants delivered
Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
Fact-checked for accuracy

6 Cheapest movers when moving locally in Athens, AL

Whether you're moving within Athens, relocating to nearby Elkmont or Mooresville, or heading to another Alabama city less than 50 miles away, are some affordable and highly-rated movers to consider:

Preferred Partner

Bellhop Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:

Flex Moving & Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Applewhite Movers LLC: 4.76 out of 5 stars
Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
This Side Up Moving & Storage : 4.62 out of 5 stars
Black Tie Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars

Applewhite Movers LLC

5640 Oakwood Road Northwest, Huntsville, AL 35806 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (32%)
Efficient service (30%)
Careful handling (27%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (24%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Lack of communication (15%)

Review Analysis

Moving made easy—most customers describe Applewhite Movers LLC as prompt, polite, and highly efficient. Out of 140 reviews analyzed, 87% were positive. Clients often highlight the professionalism, careful handling of belongings, impressive speed, and helpful movers who communicate well. Many noted a stress-free experience and appreciated the team’s respectfulness and reliability, which set Applewhite apart from typical moving services in the region. Negative feedback mostly relates to property damage, delayed schedules, and unprofessional attitude during some moves, with a few reports of mishandling and poor claim resolution. Compared to other companies, Applewhite consistently delivers better communication and more diligent movers, though some improvements in damage claims and staff consistency could further strengthen their reputation.

Get a Quote (256) 430-1198

Company Info

State license #: 4119

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 2172780

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Crating
Pay by credit card

Motivated Movers, Inc.

211 Palmer Rd, Suite D,, Madison, AL 35758 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (36%)
Professional and polite staff (32%)
Careful handling (30%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (24%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Lack of communication (19%)

Review Analysis

Top marks for hustle: the vast majority of the 255 feedback entries for Motivated Movers, Inc. praise efficient moving, professional teams, and careful handling of customer belongings. Nearly 94% of customers shared a positive experience, highlighting staff courtesy, quick and organized service, and movers who routinely went the extra mile. Clients often compare Motivated Movers favorably to other companies, citing lower stress, reasonable prices, and reliable communication. On the rare occasion issues occurred (about 6% of input), most complaints centered on items damaged, unexpectedly high final bills, or unprofessional behavior by management during disputes. A single neutral review noted high costs and poorly protected appliances. Motivated Movers appears to perform far above industry averages in service quality, with especially strong marks for professionalism and efficiency, but future customers should clarify pricing and keep an eye on item care to avoid rare pitfalls.

Get a Quote (256) 858-6683

Company Info

Years in Business: 14

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Safes
Pay by credit card

This Side Up Moving & Storage

217 Import Circle, Huntsville, AL 35806 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (36%)
Efficient service (31%)
Careful handling (29%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (23%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Unexpected charges (18%)

Review Analysis

Customers rave about This Side Up Moving & Storage for their professionalism, careful handling, efficiency, and strong communication, with 229 out of 244 reviews praising these traits. Movers regularly earn praise for their courtesy, quick moving process, and the care they show in protecting belongings and homes. Many mention seamless booking, reliable quote accuracy, and respectful treatment, even in physically demanding moves. Compared to other moving companies, This Side Up receives more consistent five-star input. Some negative feedback centers on property damage, poor complaint resolution, and lost items. Delays in claims handling and unaddressed damages frustrate the small minority of dissatisfied customers. One neutral review noted confusion and a truck mismatch, resulting in minor damages and unexpected charges. The company stands out for delivering a professional and respectful experience, but could improve by enhancing how it handles claims and follows up after reported issues.

Get a Quote (256) 653-7612

Company Info

State license #: 3959

Years in Business: 19

DOT #: 1874024

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

Black Tie Moving

4411 Evangel Circle Northwest, Huntsville, AL 35816 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (46%)
Efficient service (41%)
Careful handling (37%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (22%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)

Review Analysis

Customers describe Black Tie Moving as exceptionally professional, careful with belongings, fast, and reliable. Out of 226 feedback samples, 96.5% express positive experiences. Reviewers consistently highlight the team’s respectful approach, excellent communication, and swift, efficient moves with no damage to items or homes. Many say the staff showed up on time, handled furniture with protection, and followed through on commitments—qualities that often set Black Tie apart from typical moving firms. While most input is glowing, a handful of reviewers faced issues, mostly around poor packing, unexpected extra costs, and some instances of damage or mishandling. Compared with others, Black Tie earns high marks for its professionalism and care, though a few customers encountered significant lapses in packing detail or billing clarity.

Get a Quote (256) 755-4836

Company Info

State license #: 4111

Years in Business: 4

DOT #: 2407712

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

Other local AL movers

While these local Alabama movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:

Cheapest movers when moving out of Alabama

Making a move from Alabama to another state? You'll want a reliable interstate moving company to handle the journey. Check out our top picks

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Safeway Moving

rating

4.85 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

International Van Lines

rating

4.45 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

24/7 cust. service
Competitive rates
10% discounts

Get A Quote

(855) 929-4120

Mayzlin Relocation

rating

4.9 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

American Van Lines

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

Cheapest DIY moving options in Athens, AL

Choosing a full-service mover for your Athens, Alabama move is definitely the most convenient option, but it’s also usually the priciest. If you’re looking to cut costs, consider going with one of the top moving container companies. Or, check out moving truck rental companies in Athens instead.

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

U-Pack

rating

5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Check prices Visit Website

MovingYourself

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Offers car shipping
No hidden fees

Check prices (352) 322-2920

Budget Truck Rental

rating

4.3 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Check prices Visit Website

Top-rated movers in other nearby Alabama cities

See less

How we chose the best movers in Athens, AL

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 33 Alabama movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

Average cost of movers in Athens, AL

Check out the pricing table below to get a rough idea of what local moves typically cost in and around the Athens area. For a deeper dive, be sure to explore our guide on the moving costs in Alabama.

Keep in mind that the moving quotes shown are general estimates. Your actual expenses may vary based on your specific moving situation. For a more accurate estimate, try our moving cost calculator.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$373	$88	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$462	$86	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$641	$124	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$1,308	$169	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$1,509	$176	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$2,202	$245	5 movers	10 hours

Compare the top Athens, AL movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in Athens, AL stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company	moveBuddha rating	BBB rating	Yelp rating	Google rating
Applewhite Movers LLC	4.8/5	A+	3.4/5	4.6/5
Motivated Movers, Inc.	4.7/5	A+	4.1/5	4.8/5
This Side Up Moving & Storage	4.6/5	A+	3.3/5	4.8/5
Black Tie Moving	4.6/5	A+	4/5	4.9/5
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK	4.6/5	A+	2.1/5	4.8/5
Armstrong relocation	4.6/5	NR	1.6/5	4.7/5
Lambert Relocation, Inc.	4.4/5	A+	3.6/5	4.6/5
Muscled Up Movers	4.4/5	F	2.2/5	4.5/5
Christopher's Moving & Storage	4.4/5	A+	5/5	5/5
Brothers EZ Moving of Alabama	3.9/5		/5	4.8/5

FAQs

How can I verify if my mover is legally licensed?

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.

Every mover featured in our guide is fully licensed. Check out our best movers in Alabama page for top picks.

What’s the best way to find a trustworthy Athens mover?

Finding a dependable Athens moving company can be a challenge, but there are a few key things that can help you identify a reputable mover:

Reputation: A strong reputation is important, whether the mover is a small local business or a well-established van lines company.
Dispute resolution: Steer clear of movers with a track record of unresolved complaints. While every Athens mover may encounter customer issues, the best ones handle disputes quickly and professionally.
Experience with your type of move: Great reviews for short moves don’t guarantee success on a cross-country relocation. Make sure the mover has handled moves like yours before.

Can Athens movers help with long-distance relocations?

Some moving companies in Athens offer long-distance services, while others stick to local moves only. If you're planning an out-of-state move, check out our list of the best long distance movers in Athens.

When is the most affordable day to hire movers in Athens, AL?

Movers in Athens, Alabama, are usually cheapest on weekdays, as weekends tend to be busier and more expensive. Typically, the most affordable time to move falls between October and April. Moving costs spike between May and September due to high demand during peak season.

It’s best to book your Athens move early. To save money, try to avoid weekends, holidays, and peak summer months. And remember, a low initial quote isn’t always a good sign. Some movers increase the price on moving day after low-balling up front.

How can I move out of state from Athens, AL on a budget?

If you're looking to save money, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to move out of state or even locally within Athens, Alabama. It’s a DIY solution, though, so you’ll be responsible for packing, loading, unloading, and doing all the driving.

Is using a moving container a smart choice for my move from Athens?

Moving containers give you the flexibility to move on your schedule, but you’ll need to handle all the lifting and loading yourself. Once everything is packed, the container company will take care of transporting it to your new home, so you can skip the hassle of driving a moving truck.

Can I get help loading my moving container in Athens?

If you’re going the DIY route with a rental truck or container, labor-only moving companies are a great way to get some extra help. Hiring professionals to assist with loading and unloading can lighten the workload and speed up the process.

Can I get storage from Athens moving companies?

Many Athens movers offer both short- and long-term storage options. Some companies may rely on third-party storage facilities, so be sure to ask how and where your belongings will be stored. It’s a good idea to confirm availability and costs when comparing movers.

Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?