($1,294) Movers From Chapel Hill, NC to Birmingham, AL

What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Birmingham

Moving from Chapel Hill to Birmingham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Birmingham is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Birmingham are 36% lower than in Chapel Hill, 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 Birmingham.
  Home prices in Birmingham are 78.7% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• Income in Birmingham is 40.0% lower than in Chapel Hill, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Birmingham, since the cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 20.0% higher than in Chapel Hill. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Birmingham, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 40.4% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 75.00% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Birmingham, since the city’s sales taxes in Birmingham are 33.33% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• State income taxes in Birmingham are 11.11% higher than in Chapel Hill.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,599.20 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.

How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Birmingham

• Birmingham's population is about 208% greater than Chapel Hill.
• Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Chapel Hill's higher score of 6.
• Birmingham and Chapel Hill are similarily walkable.
• Birmingham has a bike-friendliness score 31 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Chapel Hill, which has a score of 50 out of 100.
• Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Chapel Hill with a score of 61.64 compared to Chapel Hill's 26.42. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chapel Hill neighborhoods are safer than 26.42%.
• Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Chapel Hill with a score of 38.36 vs Chapel Hill's 73.58.
• Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Chapel Hill it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Chapel Hill vs. Birmingham move

• Weather: Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Alabama, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toBirmingham Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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.

Helpful moving resources