Top-rated local movers that handle Oakland to Birmingham moves
When planning a move from Oakland to Birmingham, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 101 local movers in Oakland who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Oakland to Birmingham.
- 680 Movers: 4.64 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Pure Moving Company: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.5 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0191566
Pricing: $125/hr
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 2950711
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191103
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3207734
Alternate Names: Pure Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Oakland to Birmingham?
Movers in California charge $128 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,330 – $5,144 | $1,204 – $2,928 | $1,316 – $2,470 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,387 – $7,828 | $2,207 – $4,388 | $1,370 – $2,881 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,429 – $11,643 | $2,880 – $6,010 | $1,712 – $3,641 |
Cost to hire movers from Oakland to Birmingham
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Oakland to Birmingham, you can expect to spend between $1,330 and $5,144. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,387 to $7,828 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Oakland to Birmingham typically runs between $6,429 and $11,643.
Cost of moving containers from Oakland to Birmingham
When moving from Oakland to Birmingham, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,204 and $2,928. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,207 to $4,388. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $2,880 up to $6,010. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Oakland to Birmingham
Renting a moving truck in Oakland is usually your cheapest option to get to Birmingham. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,316 and $2,470. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,370 and $2,881. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,712 and $3,641.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Oakland to Birmingham

What to know before moving from Oakland to Birmingham
Many movers find Birmingham easier on the wallet than Oakland – roughly 14% less for singles and 22% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,697 for one person in Birmingham versus $3,146 in Oakland. For a family of four, it’s $6,727 compared with $8,584.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Oakland | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,969 | $1,542 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,450 | $2,612 |
| Average home value | $736,156 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $94,389 | $39,403 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,146 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,584 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 5.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 43% lower in Birmingham than in Oakland, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 83% lower in Birmingham than in Oakland.
- It’s important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 58% less in Birmingham than in Oakland.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Birmingham, where the cost of living for a single person is 14% less than in Oakland.
- Moving to Birmingham could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family’s regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 22% less than in Oakland.
- The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 24% higher compared to Oakland, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are similar in Birmingham and Oakland (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Income taxes are 62% lower in Alabama compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Oakland with Birmingham:
| Living Expense | Oakland | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $277.25 | $211.40 |
| Cell phone plan | $53.00 | $49.55 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.71 | $4.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.09 | $3.52 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $30.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $140.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $54.28 | $47.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- Eggs cost more in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- Bread is more expensive in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Oakland than in Birmingham.
- Gym memberships cost more in Oakland than in Birmingham.
How life is different in Oakland vs. Birmingham
| Oakland | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,646 | 196,644 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 65 | 31 |
| Crime index | 68.62 | 61.64 |
| Safety index | 31.38 | 38.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Birmingham’s population is about 55% less than Oakland.
- Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Oakland scores 8 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Oakland.
- Birmingham is less walkable than Oakland with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Oakland’s 75 out of 100.
- Birmingham has a bike-friendliness score of 31 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Oakland, which has a score of 65.
- Birmingham’s crime rate is lower than Oakland with a score of 61.64 compared to Oakland’s 68.62. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Oakland neighborhoods are safer than 68.62%.
- Birmingham is considered to be safer than Oakland with a safety index of 38.36 vs Oakland’s 31.38.
- Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Oakland it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Oakland to Birmingham move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving company’s license by visiting the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Alabama doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Birmingham smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Birmingham
Now that you’ve chosen B’ham as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Birmingham to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central City
- Five Points South
- Highland Park
- Fountain Heights
- Southside
Best neighborhoods for families
- Oxmoor
- Crestwood South
- Redmont Park
Things to do in Birmingham
After getting comfortable in your new Alabama home, it’s time to see what Birmingham is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Birmingham offers cultural landmarks like the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Vulcan Park and Museum, and McWane Science Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Vulcan Park and Museum, Birmingham’s Railroad Park, Kelly Ingram Park, and Red Mountain Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Birmingham BaronsUAB BlazersSamford University teamsBirmingham Legion FCAlabama Youth Sports Alliance basketball leagueTragic City RollersBirmingham Bulls (SPHL)Birmingham StallionsBirmingham Squadron (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
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