$1,287 Movers From California to Alabama

The cost to move from California to Alabama averages from $1,342 to $8,057 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Alabama to California guide.

Moving from California to Alabama resources

Moving 2,165 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best California to Alabama movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Alabama is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Alabama.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from California to Alabama?

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from California to Alabama for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,287 - $5,312 $1,204 - $3,138 $1,330 - $2,394
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,684 - $8,057 $2,341 - $4,512 $1,342 - $3,085
4+ bedrooms $6,573 - $11,690 $3,090 - $6,164 $1,712 - $3,601
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,165 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Alabama will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Alabama?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Alabama will cost between $1,287 to $5,312. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to AL will range from $3,684 to $8,057, and a large move from California to Alabama will cost from $6,573 to $11,690.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Alabama?

Moving containers from California to Alabama will cost you $1,204 to $3,138 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,341 to $4,512. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,090 to $6,164. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

How much is a moving truck from California to Alabama?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,330 to $2,394. A larger move will cost $1,342 to $3,085, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Alabama costs from $1,712 to $3,601.

Is moving from California to Alabama a good idea?

If you’re moving to Alabama from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: California vs Alabama

California Alabama
Average rent cost $1,586 $811
Average home cost $746,055 $221,428
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 100 87
Unemployment rate 4.8% 2.3%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 9.22%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 49% less expensive in Alabama than in California.
  • Home prices are about 70.3% lower in Alabama than in California.
  • The average income is about 35.1% lower in Alabama than in California.
  • Cost of living is 13.0% lower in Alabama than in California.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 52.1%.
  • Sales taxes are 6.22% higher in Alabama than in California.
  • Income taxes are 62.41% lower in Alabama than in California.

How is life different in Alabama from California?

Alabama California
Population 5,074,296 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 62-37 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 91ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 33ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 56" 22"
Annual Snow 1" 7"
Crime Index 31.82 27.88
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 87% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 31.82 vs 27.88.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Alabama:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Alabama side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Alabama
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Pleasant weather Tasty southern comfort food
Abundant recreational options Bountiful recreational opportunities
High quality of life Top-notch college football
Fresh and healthy foods Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Alabama:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Alabama.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Alabama
High cost of living Poor quality of life
Heavy tax burdens Severe weather
Natural disasters Restrictive alcohol laws
Terrible traffic Poor healthcare
Strange laws Cockroaches

Considerations for moving to Alabama

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 forward to Alabama. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Meathead Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
2905 Unicorn Rd, Bakersfield, CA, 93308
(661) 335-6191
All Star Movers & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA, 94568
(925) 905-9889

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Things to do in Alabama

While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

  • US Space & Rocket Center
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
  • Point Mallard Park
  • Cheaha State Park
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Gulf Shores
  • McWane Science Center
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs about moving from California to Alabama

What is the cheapest way to move from California to Alabama?

The cheapest way to move from California to Alabama is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Alabama?

The main reasons people are moving from California to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Alabama