($1,167+) Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,167 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,041 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,049 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,538, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,041 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,603 - $5,590, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,167 - $3,250.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,470 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 Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Birmingham to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,470 - $7,603 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,049-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,049-mile route from Birmingham to Long Beach, 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 $2,538 - $5,378 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,603 - $2,894), rental truck ($1,167 - $2,229), or freight trailer ($1,414 - $2,632). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,470 - $7,603 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,041.
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 Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Long Beach, California, costs between $2,538 and $11,041. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,049-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $351 - $2,340, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Birmingham and Long Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Birmingham tend to start around $310 plus $175/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Birmingham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,538 - $5,378
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,470 - $7,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,372 - $11,041
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 Birmingham to Long Beach.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Birmingham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $585 - $5,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $234 - $1,404/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $351 - $2,808 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,170 - $3,510 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,925 - $11,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $876 - $1,665 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $1,170 - $2,925 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $936 - $4,095 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $351 - $1,755 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Secure Moving, Inc | $761 - $2,340 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $351 - $17,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $351 - $4,095+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham to Long Beach?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Birmingham, AL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,603 and $5,590. 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 Long Beach. If you go over that window, storage in Birmingham adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,603 - $2,894
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,971 - $4,015
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,925 - $5,590
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Birmingham, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $819, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $88 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $176 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Birmingham, AL, and Long Beach, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to California 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 $1,603. 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 $1,971 - $4,015.
What are the best moving containers Birmingham to Long Beach?
- 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham:
- New Latitude Movers (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 27 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Plan on $1,167 - $3,250 for a rental moving truck on the 2,049-mile route from Birmingham, Alabama, to Long Beach, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $763 - $872
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Birmingham 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 Birmingham to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,229
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,733
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,579 - $3,250
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,167 - $3,250 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Birmingham to Long Beach. Fuel ($763 - $872), lodging at around $176/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Birmingham, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $819.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $763 - $872 for the 2,049-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 $70 and $380, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $176 per night for hotel stops on the 2,049-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $351 - $527.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham to Long Beach?
- 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 Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Birmingham, Alabama, to Long Beach, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,053 and $3,381.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,414 - $2,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,592 - $3,381
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,250 - $4,518
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $88 - $176 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 Birmingham, Alabama, typically costs $819.
What are the best freight companies from Birmingham to Long Beach?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Long Beach 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: Birmingham, AL vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Birmingham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $141,615 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $44,376/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 38.36/100 | 41.42/100 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA to Birmingham, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Alabama alone has 142 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,049-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Birmingham, AL, to Long Beach, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,538 for a studio to $11,041 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,049-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,603 - $5,590. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,167 - $3,250, 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 $3,470 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Long Beach, CA
What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?
For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What do local movers charge in Birmingham?
Local movers based in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate, plus $175/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 Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Birmingham, AL to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,167 to $11,041, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,538 and $11,041, 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 Birmingham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.