Moving from Huntsville to Birmingham, AL
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Quick answer: Moving from Huntsville to Birmingham costs between $133 to $4,902 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 101-mile route within Alabama take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Huntsville to Birmingham
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Huntsville to Birmingham are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Huntsville to driving and unloading in Birmingham, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 101 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,326 - $3,886 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,099 - $1,966 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $137 - $228 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $65/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Huntsville to Birmingham?
It costs between $133 to $4,902 to move from Huntsville to Birmingham. The prices below break down your 101-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $774 - $4,902
- Moving containers: $808 - $2,247
- Rental trucks: $133 - $250
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $774 - $3,520 | $808 - $1,462 | $133 - $198 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,326 - $3,886 | $1,099 - $1,966 | $137 - $228 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,952 - $4,902 | $1,311 - $2,247 | $163 - $250 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $282 - $2,350+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $65/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $70/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $188 - $752 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $47 - $188 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Huntsville to Birmingham
At 101 miles, your Huntsville to Birmingham move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Huntsville to Birmingham. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Alabama, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 101 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Huntsville to Birmingham. They've been in business since 1989 (37 years of experience) and 85.4% of their 247 verified reviews are positive.
More Alabama moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham to Huntsville guide.
Considerations when moving from Huntsville to Birmingham
Cost of living: Huntsville vs. Birmingham
When weighing the cost of living in Huntsville versus Birmingham, there's more to consider than just housing costs. Let’s dive into important financial factors like rent, home prices, average income, daily expenses, and job market trends, so you can see how life in Birmingham really compares to Huntsville.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Huntsville | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,409 | $1,250 |
| Average home cost | $260,899 | $141,615 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,778 | $44,376 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,133 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,140 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | 5.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.0% | 10.0% |
- Rent in Birmingham is around 11% less expensive than in Huntsville, leaving you with extra cash for saving, investing, or having fun.
- Home prices in Birmingham are 46% lower than in Huntsville. That means you’ll have an easier time getting into the housing market, scoring a more affordable mortgage, and having extra cash left over for what matters most.
- Income in Birmingham is 37% lower than in Huntsville, so you might face tighter budget constraints, especially if local wages don’t keep pace with living costs.
- Living in Birmingham is 14% cheaper for one person compared to Huntsville. That means more money left in your pocket—to save, spend, or invest however you like.
- The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 62% higher than in Huntsville. This means household expenses like housing, childcare, and healthcare will likely cost more, which could make Birmingham less affordable if you have dependents or other family members to care for.
- Unemployment in Birmingham is 81% higher than in Huntsville. This means landing a job could be tougher and job security less certain—especially if you're making the move without a job already secured.
- Sales taxes are 11% higher in Birmingham than in Huntsville. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
To match the lifestyle you enjoy on $3,000 in Huntsville, you’d need about $2,580 in Birmingham.
How life is different in Huntsville vs. Birmingham
Before you move, take a look at how life compares in Huntsville and Birmingham. From weather and population to cost of living, politics, and safety, these factors can all impact your daily life. Use this side-by-side comparison to find out which city fits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Huntsville | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 241,114 | 196,644 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 64.8-34.2 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 90ºF | 90ºF |
| Winter low | 30ºF | 32ºF |
| Annual rain | 55" | 56" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 1" |
| Crime index | 42.55 | 61.64 |
Birmingham sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Birmingham is approximately 18% lower than the population of Huntsville. Moving to a smaller city usually means more peace, space, and affordability, but also fewer big-city conveniences.
- In the most recent presidential race, both Huntsville and Birmingham leaned Democratic.
- In Birmingham and Huntsville, summer highs run about the same — 90°F vs. 90°F. You can expect similar weather and expenses.
- In the coldest months, both Huntsville and Birmingham face similar winter lows—Huntsville drops to 30°F, while Birmingham falls to 32°F.
- Both Huntsville and Birmingham receive similar amounts of rain annually—Huntsville gets about 55 inches, while Birmingham sees around 56 inches each year.
- You won’t notice much difference in snowfall moving from Huntsville to Birmingham. Both average about 2 and 1 inch of snow each year.
- Birmingham reports a higher crime index than Huntsville, with scores of 61.64 and 42.55, respectively.
Things to do in Birmingham
Looking for adventure, vibrant culture, or exciting live sports? Birmingham has it all.
Museums in Birmingham
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- McWane Science Center
- Birmingham Museum of Art
Parks in Birmingham
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- Birmingham's Railroad Park
- Kelly Ingram Park
- Red Mountain Park
- East Lake Park
Sports teams in Birmingham
- Birmingham Barons
- UAB Blazers
- Samford University teams
- Birmingham Legion FC
- Alabama Youth Sports Alliance basketball league
Universities in Birmingham
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Samford University
- Birmingham School of Law
- Miles College
- Miles Law School
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Huntsville to Birmingham?
If you’re planning to hire a moving company to get your belongings from Huntsville to Birmingham, here’s what you can expect: Moving just a few items or a small bedroom typically costs between $658 and $2,803. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices generally range from $1,326 up to $3,886. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom home or larger, expect to pay anywhere from $1,952 to $4,902 for the whole move.
How much are moving container companies from Huntsville to Birmingham?
Moving containers from Huntsville to Birmingham will cost you $560 to $1,373 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,099 to $1,966. A larger home will cost $1,311 to $2,247.
How much is a moving truck from Huntsville to Birmingham?
If you’re looking to save money, renting a moving truck is typically your most budget-friendly choice. Just keep in mind, you’ll be handling all the driving and heavy lifting yourself. We’ve factored estimated fuel costs into these price estimates, so you know what to expect.
Renting a truck to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment typically ranges from $126 to $198. If you’re moving a bigger place, expect to pay between $137 and $228. For a four-bedroom home or larger going from Huntsville to Birmingham, costs usually fall between $163 and $250.
How far in advance should I book Huntsville-to-Birmingham movers?
To make your move from Huntsville to Birmingham as easy as possible, try locking in your movers at least two months ahead of time. If you’re planning to move during the busy summer season, aim for three months in advance. Booking early gives you a better shot at your ideal moving date and can land you better rates. Some companies even offer early-bird discounts when you reserve ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Birmingham?
For the best deals on your move to Birmingham, aim for a date between early October and late April. Skipping the busy May-to-September rush not only saves you money, but also helps you lock in better rates and more flexible scheduling.
