Top San Diego, CA to Mobile, AL Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Mobile to San Diego guide.

1. We Like To Move It Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
2. McCarthy Transfer & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
3. Grizzly Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
4. Best California Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
5. One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from California to Alabama

Planning a move from California to Alabama? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,394 and $5,827. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $3,620 and $8,661 for the same journey (CA to AL). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $7,084 to $12,087.

Cost of moving containers from California to Alabama

If you're relocating from California to Alabama, you'll typically spend between $1,283 and $3,173 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,286 up to $4,600. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,286 and $6,387. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Alabama

Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.

Expect to pay between $1,255 and $2,564 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,398 to $2,819. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $1,713 to $3,415.

These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.

• Rent prices in Mobile are 55% lower than in San Diego, 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 Mobile.
  Home prices in Mobile are 81.4% lower than in San Diego.
• Income in Mobile is 15.1% lower than in San Diego, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Mobile — including Infirmary Health, Austal, and City of Mobile — may pay more.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Mobile. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 45.5% lower than in San Diego.
• A move to Mobile can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 46.8% less than what it costs in San Diego.
• The unemployment rate in Mobile is 6.06% lower than in San Diego.
• Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Mobile, since its sales taxes are 29.03% higher than what you are paying in San Diego.
• One perk of moving to Mobile is paying less in state income taxes, which are 62.41% lower than in San Diego.

• Mobile might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 87% less than San Diego.
• Getting around Mobile without a car might be more difficult than in San Diego. Mobile has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas San Diego is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Mobile neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Diego. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Mobile isn't as walkable as San Diego, which has a score of 53 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Mobile, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Diego. While San Diego has a bike-friendliness score of 43 out of 100, Mobile earned a 34. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Mobile is higher than in San Diego, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 64.95 in Mobile, it is 39.83 in San Diego. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Mobile. With a crime index of 35.05, Mobile ranks lower in overall safety than San Diego, whose index is 60.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Mobile has better air quality than in San Diego. Mobile has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Diego. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

• Weather: October, April and November are the most pleasant months in Mobile, so consider this in your plans in moving to Mobile City. Mobile City experiences extreme heat on summer and rainy days on winter.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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 check the status of a Alabama moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: Alabama doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Mobile. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Spanish Fort
• Point Clear
• Tillmans Corner
• Theodore
• Chickasaw

Best neighborhoods for families

• Point Clear
• Saraland
• Loxley
• Satsuma
• Semmes

Things to do in Mobile

After getting comfortable in your new Alabama home, it's time to see what Mobile is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

• Arts and culture: Mobile is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the GulfQuest - National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, Battleship USS ALABAMA, Mobile Carnival Museum, History Museum of Mobile, and Richards DAR House Museum.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Mobile Bay, Mobile Botanical Gardens, Bienville Square, and Medal of Honor Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
• Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an South Alabama Jaguars (Sun Belt) and Spring Hill Badgers (SIAC) game.