($1,535) Movers From Birmingham, AL to San Jose, CA

What to know before moving from Birmingham to San Jose

Moving from Birmingham to San Jose comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Jose is generally more expensive than Birmingham, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Jose are 148% higher than in Birmingham, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
  Home prices in San Jose are 1,053.8% higher than in Birmingham.
• Income in San Jose is 111.7% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top 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.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,086.76 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.

How life is different in Birmingham vs. San Jose

• 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Jose. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Jose

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Man Jose", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Jose.

Helpful moving resources