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Things to know before moving from California to Birmingham, AL
Cost of living: California vs Birmingham, AL
| California | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,250 |
| Average home value | $771,057 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $39,403 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 6% |
| State income tax | 13% | 5% |
Birmingham sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 33% less expensive in Birmingham than in California.
- Home prices are about 84% lower in Birmingham than in California.
- The average income is about 57% lower in Birmingham than in California.
- Birmingham has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 4%.
- Income taxes are 62% lower in Birmingham than in California.
How life is different in Birmingham from California
| Birmingham | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,644 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 90ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 32ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 56" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 1" | 7" |
| Crime index | 61.64 | 28.43 |
Birmingham sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Birmingham is approximately 99% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Birmingham voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Birmingham is 90ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Birmingham reaches the temperature of 32ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Birmingham vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Birmingham, it snows about 1 inch annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Birmingham has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 61.64 vs 28.43.
Things to do in Birmingham
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Birmingham.
Museums in Birmingham
Parks in Birmingham
Universities in Birmingham
Other considerations when moving to Birmingham, AL
- 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: 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 forwarded 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.
FAQ
How long does a move from California to Birmingham take?
The time frame for a move from California to Birmingham, AL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Birmingham will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Birmingham from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Birmingham?
Because of the 2152-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Birmingham as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Birmingham, AL?
With the summer highs of 90ºF and the winter lows of 32ºF, most people move to Birmingham from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Birmingham during summer or winter.
