Dayton, OH to Birmingham, AL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Dayton to Birmingham typically costs $2,400–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 516 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Dayton to Birmingham
Moving from Dayton, OH to Birmingham, AL typically costs $2,400–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 516-mile move from Dayton to Birmingham, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- United Van Lines recently quoted $2,746 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $5,876 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $4,681 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 12, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 24, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 23, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 10, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 10, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 05, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 28, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Dayton to Birmingham
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,300, but larger homes can run up to $9,200.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Dayton.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($500–$1,300) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Birmingham, AL to Dayton, OH guide.
Best Dayton to Birmingham movers by type
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Best professional movers from Dayton to Birmingham
For a stress-free interstate move from Dayton to Birmingham, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best OH→AL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 100 Ohio moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Dayton to Birmingham
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Birmingham runs about 69% higher for singles and 78% higher for families than Dayton.
Singles spend around $2,697 in Birmingham versus $1,593 in Dayton; families pay $6,727 compared with $3,788.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Dayton | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,192 | $1,542 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,683 | $2,612 |
| Average home value | $135,815 | $125,988 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,673 | $39,403 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,593 | $2,697 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,788 | $6,727 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 5.0% |
- As you consider relocating to Birmingham, note that rent can be roughly 35% more expensive than it is in Dayton; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 7% lower in Birmingham than in Dayton.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 37% less in Birmingham than in Dayton.
- Plan for higher expenses in Birmingham, since the cost of living for a single person is 69% more than in Dayton. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Birmingham, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 78% more than it is in Dayton.
- Birmingham experiences an unemployment rate that is about 18% lower than that of Dayton. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 33% higher in Birmingham than in Dayton. 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 43% higher in Alabama compared to Ohio. 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 Dayton with Birmingham:
| Living Expense | Dayton | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.37 | $211.40 |
| Cell phone plan | $44.17 | $49.55 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.02 | $4.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.61 | $3.52 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $57.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $33.34 | $47.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Dayton than in Birmingham, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Dayton than in Birmingham.
- Eggs are less expensive in Dayton than in Birmingham.
- Bread costs less in Dayton than in Birmingham.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Dayton than in Birmingham.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Dayton than in Birmingham.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Dayton than in Birmingham.
How life is different in Dayton vs. Birmingham
| Dayton | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,644 | 196,644 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 31 |
| Crime index | 4.0 | 61.64 |
| Safety index | 40.68 | 38.36 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Birmingham's population is about 43% greater than Dayton.
- Birmingham has no measurable public transportation (score of 0), while Dayton scores 6 out of 10, showing a clear advantage for Dayton.
- Birmingham is less walkable than Dayton with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Dayton's 45 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 Dayton, which has a score of 47.
- Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Dayton with a score of 61.64 compared to Dayton's 4.0. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 61.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Dayton neighborhoods are safer than 4.0%.
- Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Dayton with a score of 38.36 vs Dayton's 40.68.
- Air quality in Birmingham is Good, and in Dayton it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Dayton 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 Dayton to Birmingham?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Dayton to Birmingham are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Dayton are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Dayton to Birmingham?
Because spring and fall moves from Dayton 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 Dayton to Birmingham take?
A move of 516 miles from Dayton, OH to Birmingham, AL generally takes one to six days. Movers in Dayton 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 Dayton?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In Dayton, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Dayton offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 7 movers in Dayton have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 3 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across OH, there are 59 piano movers and 37 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
