($498+) Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $498 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,124 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 662 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,380, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,124 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,021 - $3,088, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $498 - $1,272.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,182 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Birmingham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,182 - $5,497. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 662-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 662-mile route from Chicago to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,380 for a studio up to $7,124 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,021 - $3,088 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $498 - $1,272, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $856 - $2,548, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
For the 662-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Birmingham, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $1,380 and $7,124. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $295 - $1,968 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Chicago generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,380 - $4,026
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,182 - $5,497
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,798 - $7,124
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Chicago to Birmingham.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Birmingham?
All three below meet the standards set by the Alabama Trucking Association, the group most Alabama movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chicago, IL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,021 and $3,088. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Chicago costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,021 - $1,884
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,271 - $2,507
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,666 - $3,088
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Birmingham, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $689 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $74 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $148 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Alabama move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,021. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,271 - $2,507.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Birmingham?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Chicago to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
Plan on $498 - $1,272 for a rental moving truck on the 662-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Birmingham, Alabama. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $207 - $237
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $498 - $886
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $506 - $1,020
- 4+ bedrooms: $631 - $1,272
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Birmingham starts at $498 - $1,272, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($207 - $237), overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $689.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $207 - $237 for the 662-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $320, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $148 per night for hotel stops on the 662-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $295 - $443.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Birmingham?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Birmingham, Alabama. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $886 and $2,086.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $856 - $1,695
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $2,086
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,374 - $2,548
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $689.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $74 and $148 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Birmingham. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Birmingham, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Birmingham, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 38.36/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Alabama over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 314 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 662-mile move.
Our take
The 662-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Birmingham, AL, costs between $1,380 and $7,124 with full-service movers, $1,021 - $3,088 with a moving container, and $498 - $1,272 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,182 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Birmingham, AL
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
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.
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Birmingham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $498 to $7,124, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,380 and $7,124, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Birmingham, AL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $506 - $1,020. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.