($1,021+) Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Phoenix, AZ, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $990 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,523 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,659 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,290, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,523 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,543 - $5,445, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $990 - $2,939.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Phoenix, AZ, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,111 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Phoenix to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,111 - $6,965 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,659-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,659-mile route from Phoenix to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,290 - $5,501 with full-service movers, $1,543 - $2,906 with a container, $990 - $2,039 with a rental truck, or $1,307 - $2,666 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,111 - $6,965 full-service, $1,915 - $3,944 by container, $1,138 - $2,474 by rental truck, or $1,563 - $3,124 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,854 - $10,523 full-service, $2,639 - $5,445 by container, $1,433 - $2,939 by rental truck, or $2,111 - $4,484 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,659-mile move from Phoenix, Arizona, to Birmingham, Alabama, with prices running from $2,290 - $10,523. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $308 - $2,052 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Phoenix and Birmingham are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Phoenix movers tend to run around $140 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Phoenix to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,290 - $5,501
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,111 - $6,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,854 - $10,523
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 Phoenix to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Phoenix movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Camelback Moving | $205 - $1,231/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,462 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,026 - $3,078 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,565 - $10,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $768 - $1,460 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $667 - $2,052 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,591+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Phoenix to Birmingham?
Alabama Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Alabama, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Phoenix, AZ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Phoenix, Arizona, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,543 and $5,445. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Phoenix costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Phoenix to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,543 - $2,906
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,915 - $3,944
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,639 - $5,445
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $718 in Phoenix, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $77 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $154 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Birmingham, AL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona to Alabama 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 $1,543. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,915 - $3,944, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Phoenix to Birmingham?
- 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix:
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
- Budget Movers (4.6/5), 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,659-mile move from Phoenix, Arizona, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $990 and $2,939, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $542 - $619
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Phoenix daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Phoenix to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $990 - $2,039
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,474
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,433 - $2,939
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Phoenix to Birmingham starts at $990 - $2,939, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($542 - $619) , overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $154 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Phoenix, Arizona, usually costs about $718 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,659-mile drive falls between $542 and $619, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $51 and $308 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Phoenix to Birmingham?
- 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 Phoenix, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Phoenix, Arizona, to Birmingham, Alabama. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,563 and $3,124.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Phoenix to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,307 - $2,666
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,563 - $3,124
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,111 - $4,484
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $77 and $154.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Phoenix, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $718.
What are the best freight companies from Phoenix to Birmingham?
- 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.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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 Birmingham 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: Phoenix, AZ vs Birmingham, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Birmingham, side by side with Phoenix on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Phoenix, AZ | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $380,294 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $77,041/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 46.94/100 | 38.36/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Birmingham, AL to Phoenix, AZ guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Alabama, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 97 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 1,659-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Phoenix, AZ, to Birmingham, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,290 for a studio to $10,523 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,659-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,543 - $5,445. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $990 - $2,939, 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 $3,111 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 Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Phoenix, AZ, to Birmingham, AL
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Phoenix?
Local movers based in Phoenix typically start around $140 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Birmingham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Birmingham?
For families, Oxmoor, Crestwood South, and Redmont Park are worth a look in Birmingham. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central City, Five Points South, and Highland Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 41 and 56 in Phoenix. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Phoenix movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Phoenix handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.