Quick answer: A typical 2,291-mile move from Birmingham to San Jose runs $1,584–$9,114 and takes seven to 18 days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Jose to Birmingham guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
From Alabama to California, your interstate move will have a lot of moving parts — starting with which company to hire. Birmingham has 7 options for interstate moves, and each one comes with different strengths and specialties. Deciding which is right for you can be a challenge in itself.
After comparing service packages, pricing details, and real feedback from customer reviews, we were able to pinpoint the best long-distance movers in Birmingham for every moving option.
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Best professional movers from Birmingham to San Jose
For an interstate move from Birmingham to San Jose, choosing a full-service mover means you won’t have to manage the packing, loading, or transport yourself. These companies handle the details so you can concentrate on your schedule and plans for settling in.
Below, you’ll find our top recommendations for full-service movers equipped to get you from Birmingham to San Jose efficiently and with minimal stress.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Birmingham?
How we chose the best moving companies for your AL to CA move
Local movers servicing Birmingham to San Jose moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Birmingham that also provides long-distance services to San Jose can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in Birmingham who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Birmingham to San Jose.
- Changing Spaces Moving Inc: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- New Latitude Movers : 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Move Daddy: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Secure Moving, Inc: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 3822
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 1164434
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 2179652
Alternate Names: Move & Store, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
Company Info
State license #: 4029
Years in Business: 10
Alternate Names: Move daddy
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Birmingham to San Jose?
Birmingham movers charge $175 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,520 - $5,976 | $1,440 - $3,678 | $1,523 - $2,885 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,175 - $9,114 | $2,409 - $5,196 | $1,584 - $3,265 |
4+ bedrooms | $7,685 - $13,680 | $3,620 - $6,970 | $2,040 - $4,127 |
Cost to hire movers from Alabama to California
Planning a move from Alabama to California? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,520 and $5,976. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,175 and $9,114 for the same journey (AL to CA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $7,685 to $13,680.
Cost of moving containers from Alabama to California
Moving from Alabama to California? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $1,440 and $3,678. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,409 to $5,196. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,620 up to $6,970. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Alabama.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Alabama to California
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you'll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you're moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,523 and $2,885. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,584 and $3,265. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $2,040 and $4,127.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors influencing moving costs from Birmingham to San Jose
What to know before moving from Birmingham to San Jose
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move — San Jose runs about 36% higher for singles and 24% higher for families than Birmingham.
Singles spend around $3,674 in San Jose versus $2,697 in Birmingham; families pay $8,354 compared with $6,727.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
- You may want to budget more for rent in San Jose, since prices are typically 148% higher than in Birmingham.
- The home prices in San Jose are 1,053.8% higher than in Birmingham, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in San Jose, where incomes are, on average, 111.7% higher than in Birmingham. Major employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Jose, since the cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 36.2% higher than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 24.2% higher than in Birmingham.
- The unemployment rate in San Jose is 17.86% higher than in Birmingham.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Jose, since the city's sales taxes in San Jose are 6.20% lower than in Birmingham.
- State income taxes in San Jose are 166.00% higher than in Birmingham.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Birmingham and San Jose:
Birmingham | San Jose | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $211.4 | $293.08 |
Cell phone plan | $49.55 | $48.44 |
Dozen eggs | $4.2 | $4.8 |
Loaf of bread | $3.52 | $4.93 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18 | $20.5 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $60 | $100 |
Gym membership | $47.5 | $123.75 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Birmingham than in San Jose, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Birmingham than in San Jose.
- Eggs are less expensive in Birmingham than in San Jose.
- Bread costs less in Birmingham than in San Jose.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Birmingham than in San Jose.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Birmingham than in San Jose.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Birmingham than in San Jose.
How life is different in Birmingham vs. San Jose
San Jose | Birmingham | |
---|---|---|
Population | 971,233 | 196,644 |
Transportation Score | 7 | 0 |
Walkability score | 51 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 62 | 31 |
Crime Index | 47.73 | 61.64 |
Safety Index | 52.27 | 38.36 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of San Jose is about 394% greater than Birmingham, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- San Jose offers better access to buses and trains than Birmingham, based on public transportation ratings. San Jose has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 0 in Birmingham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in San Jose means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Birmingham. San Jose is considered more walkable than Birmingham, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Birmingham. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, San Jose is considered more bike-friendly than Birmingham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, while Birmingham is rated as 31 out of 100.
- San Jose has a lower crime rate than Birmingham based on scores of 47.73 and Birmingham's 61.64, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in San Jose than in Birmingham, based on San Jose's safety index of 52.27 versus 38.36 for Birmingham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in San Jose isn't as good as it is in Birmingham, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Jose has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Birmingham is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. San Jose move
- Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a California moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to San Jose. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in San Jose
Ready to relocate to Man Jose? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in San Jose.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Burbank
- Downtown
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Best neighborhoods for families
- Berryessa
- Cambrian Park
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Things to do in San Jose
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Jose has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: San Jose features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Children's Discovery Museum, The Tech Interactive, San Jose Museum of Art, and New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Alum Rock Park, Emma Prusch Farm Park, and Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an San Jose Barracuda (AHL), San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), San Jose Giants (California League), or San Jose Sharks (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to San Jose?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Birmingham to San Jose are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Birmingham. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Birmingham to San Jose?
Because most people are moving from Birmingham to San Jose in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Birmingham to San Jose take?
Moving from Birmingham, AL to San Jose, CA covers 2,291 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days Need to move faster? Some Birmingham movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Jose.
Are piano and antique moving services available in Birmingham?
Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Birmingham, 7 movers can manage piano relocations. 1 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Alabama has 20 piano movers and 6 antique movers, while nationwide there are 1607 and 1131 respectively.
Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.