Top-rated local movers that handle Raleigh to Birmingham moves
When planning a move from Raleigh 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 28 local movers in Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Birmingham.
- Bellhop Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Little Guys Movers : 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Athens Moving Experts: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Excel Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Next Stop Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2934
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 2548
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 1931566
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2657
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3205320
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2311
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 076235
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1267633
Years in Business: 4
DOT #: 3619230
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Raleigh to Birmingham?
Movers in North Carolina charge $145 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 | $1,097 – $3,000 | $667 – $1,574 | $412 – $799 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,889 – $4,736 | $1,253 – $2,454 | $445 – $929 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,395 – $7,555 | $1,572 – $2,948 | $595 – $1,144 |
Cost to hire movers from Raleigh to Birmingham
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Raleigh to Birmingham, you can expect to spend between $1,097 and $3,000. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $1,889 to $4,736 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Raleigh to Birmingham typically runs between $3,395 and $7,555.
Cost of moving containers from Raleigh to Birmingham
When moving from Raleigh to Birmingham, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $667 and $1,574. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,253 to $2,454. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,572 up to $2,948. 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 North Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Raleigh to Birmingham
Renting a moving truck in Raleigh 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 $412 and $799. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $445 and $929. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $595 and $1,144.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Raleigh to Birmingham
The cost of Raleigh movers will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,454, but larger homes can run up to $6,084.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Raleigh.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($412–$999) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
What to know before moving from Raleigh to Birmingham
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Birmingham runs about -56% higher for singles and 11% higher for families than Raleigh.
Singles spend around $2,697 in Raleigh versus $6,077 in Raleigh; families pay $6,727 compared with $6,077.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Raleigh | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,820 | $1,542 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $2,612 |
| Average home value | $431,795 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $2,572 | $39,403 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,077 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,077 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.25% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 5.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 25% lower in Birmingham than in Raleigh, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 71% lower in Birmingham than in Raleigh.
- Great news! You’ll find the average income is about 1432% higher in Birmingham compared to Raleigh, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Birmingham, where the cost of living for a single person is 56% less than in Raleigh.
- If your journey leads to Birmingham, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 11% more than it is in Raleigh.
- The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 30% higher compared to Raleigh, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 38% higher in Birmingham than in Raleigh. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 11% higher in Alabama compared to North Carolina. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state’s tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Raleigh with Birmingham:
| Living Expense | Raleigh | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $190.88 | $211.40 |
| Cell phone plan | $64.40 | $49.55 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.71 | $4.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.12 | $3.52 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.50 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $40.18 | $47.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Raleigh than in Birmingham, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
- Eggs cost more in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
- Bread is more expensive in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Raleigh than in Birmingham.
How life is different in Raleigh vs. Birmingham
| Raleigh | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 467,665 | 196,644 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 31 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 31 |
| Crime index | 38.87 | 61.64 |
| Safety index | 60.13 | 38.36 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Birmingham’s population is about 58% less than Raleigh.
- Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Raleigh scores 4 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Raleigh.
- Birmingham is more walkable than Raleigh with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Raleigh’s 31 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 Raleigh, which has a score of 39.
- Birmingham’s crime rate is higher than Raleigh with a score of 61.64 compared to Raleigh’s 38.87. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Raleigh neighborhoods are safer than 38.87%.
- Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Raleigh with a score of 38.36 vs Raleigh’s 60.13.
- Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Raleigh it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Raleigh 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
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Birmingham?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Raleigh to Birmingham are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Raleigh are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Raleigh to Birmingham?
Because spring and fall moves from Raleigh to Birmingham are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you’re looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Raleigh to Birmingham take?
A move of 553 miles from Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, generally takes one to six days. Movers in Raleigh sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Birmingham is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Raleigh?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 1 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Raleigh offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 20 movers in Raleigh have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 8 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across NC, there are 78 piano movers and 38 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,303 and 1,466.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
Helpful moving resources
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