Factors influencing moving costs from Santa Ana to Birminghamtoggle

The cost of Santa Ana movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Santa Ana to Birmingham can be as low as $1,459 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 12,100.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Santa Ana, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,476 to $3,646. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Birmingham

Moving from Santa Ana to Birmingham means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Santa Ana than in Birmingham, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Santa Ana compares to Birmingham so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Santa Ana Birmingham
Average rent cost $2,650 $1,250
Average home value $843,858 $125,988
Average income (per capita) $77,283 $39,403
Cost of living (single person) $6,333 $2,697
Cost of living (family of 4) $11,160 $6,727
Unemployment rate 7.0% 5.6%
Sales tax 9.25% 10.0%
State income tax 13.3% 5.0%
  • Rent prices in Birmingham are 53% lower than in Santa Ana, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
    Home prices in Birmingham are 85.1% lower than in Santa Ana.
  • Income in Birmingham is 49.0% lower than in Santa Ana, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Birmingham include Encompass Health, Regions Bank, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 57.4% lower than in Santa Ana. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 39.7% lower than in Santa Ana.
  • The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 20.00% lower than in Santa Ana.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Birmingham, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Birmingham are 8.11% higher than in Santa Ana.
  • One perk of moving to Birmingham is paying less in state income taxes, which are 62.41% lower than in Santa Ana.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,277.59 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.

How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Birmingham

Birmingham Santa Ana
Population 196,644 310,227
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 0 7
Walkability score 33 67
Bike friendliness score 31 62
Crime Index 61.64 54.17
Safety Index 38.36 45.83
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Birmingham's population is about 37% less than Santa Ana.
  • Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Santa Ana's higher score of 7.
  • Birmingham is less walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
  • Birmingham has a bike-friendliness score 31 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Santa Ana, which has a score of 62 out of 100.
  • Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Santa Ana with a score of 61.64 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
  • Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Santa Ana with a score of 38.36 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
  • Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Santa Ana it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Santa Ana vs. Birmingham move

  • 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: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 Birmingham. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Birmingham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "B'ham", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Birmingham.

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

Now that you've made the move to Alabama, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore Birmingham. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Birmingham, such as the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Vulcan Park and Museum, McWane Science Center, and Birmingham Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Vulcan Park and Museum, Birmingham's Railroad Park, Kelly Ingram Park, and Red Mountain Park โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Birmingham?

The best time to move from Santa Ana to Birmingham is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Santa Ana.

When is the cheapest time to move from Santa Ana to Birmingham?

Because most people are moving from Santa Ana to Birmingham in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Santa Ana to Birmingham take?

The 2,028-mile move from Santa Ana, CA, to Birmingham, AL, takes six to 17 days. Some Santa Ana movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Birmingham.

Helpful moving resources