($1,432) Movers From Cleveland, OH to Birmingham, AL

What to know before moving from Cleveland to Birmingham

Moving from Cleveland to Birmingham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Birmingham is generally more expensive than Cleveland, 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 4% lower than in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland.
  Home prices in Birmingham are 16.1% higher than in Cleveland.
• Income in Birmingham is 39.3% lower than in Cleveland, 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 8.3% higher than in Cleveland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in Birmingham and Cleveland.
• The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 17.65% lower than in Cleveland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Birmingham, since the city’s sales taxes in Birmingham are 25.00% higher than in Cleveland.
• State income taxes in Birmingham are 42.86% higher than in Cleveland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,249.40 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Cleveland.

How life is different in Cleveland vs. Birmingham

• Birmingham's population is about 47% less than Cleveland.
• Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Cleveland's higher score of 8.
• Birmingham is less walkable than Cleveland with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Cleveland's 57 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 Cleveland, which has a score of 52 out of 100.
• Birmingham and Cleveland have a similar crime rate.
• Birmingham and Cleveland are considered to be equally safe.
• Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Cleveland it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Cleveland 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