($1,485) Movers From Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL

What to know before moving from Phoenix to Birmingham

Moving from Phoenix to Birmingham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Birmingham is generally more expensive than Phoenix, 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 Birmingham are 26% lower than in Phoenix, which means you’ll have more 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 Birmingham are 69.4% lower than in Phoenix.
• Income in Birmingham is 39.0% lower than in Phoenix, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Birmingham include Encompass Health, Regions Bank, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Birmingham, since the cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 13.8% higher than in Phoenix. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Birmingham, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 28.7% higher than in Phoenix.
• The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 15.15% lower than in Phoenix.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Birmingham, since the city’s sales taxes in Birmingham are 16.28% higher than in Phoenix.
• State income taxes in Birmingham are 100.00% higher than in Phoenix.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,415.37 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.

How life is different in Phoenix vs. Birmingham

• Birmingham's population is about 88% less than Phoenix.
• Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Phoenix's higher score of 6.
• Birmingham is less walkable than Phoenix with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Phoenix's 41 out of 100.
• Birmingham has a bike-friendliness score 31 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Phoenix, which has a score of 56 out of 100.
• Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Phoenix with a score of 61.64 compared to Phoenix's 53.06. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Phoenix neighborhoods are safer than 53.06%.
• Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Phoenix with a score of 38.36 vs Phoenix's 46.94.
• Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Phoenix it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Phoenix vs. Birmingham move

• Weather: Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
• 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Alabama 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 Birmingham. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Birmingham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "B'ham", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Birmingham.

Helpful moving resources