How Much Do Alabama Movers Cost?
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost of hiring movers in Alabama is $127 per hour, with an average total move cost between $573 and $4,296. The exact cost of your move will depend on how many belongings you have and how far you’re relocating.
Of course, it’s crucial to get a personalized moving quote for your Alabama move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.
To figure out how much your Alabama move will cost, it’s a good idea to compare multiple quotes. With our cost calculator, you can get pricing information from the best moving companies in AL — including Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, Mayzlin Relocation, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services, and some of the top national moving companies provided below.
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Average cost to hire a moving company in Alabama
The cost to hire a Alabama moving company depends primarily on the size of your home, how many belongings you have, and the distance of your move. Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional movers in Alabama.
Cost to move a home in Alabama
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $573 | $178 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $751 | $178 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,142 | $249 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,486 | $348 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,834 | $348 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,296 | $488 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Alabama to move a studio apartment is $573. You'll need two movers for three hours at $178 per hour.
- One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $751 for local Alabama movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $178 per hour.
- Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire Alabama movers to move a two-bedroom home is $1,142. You'll need three movers for five hours at $249 per hour.
- Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $2,486 for local Alabama movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $348 per hour.
- Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in Alabama will cost $2,834, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $348 per hour.
- Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring Alabama movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $4,296. You'll need five movers for 10 hours at $488 per hour.
City moving costs in Alabama
- Cost of Huntsville movers
- Cost of Birmingham movers
- Cost of Montgomery movers
- Cost of Mobile movers
- Cost of Tuscaloosa movers
- Cost of Irondale movers
- Cost of McCalla movers
- Cost of Moody movers
- Cost of Jacksonville movers
- Cost of Pell City movers
- Cost of Eufaula movers
- Cost of Sylacauga movers
- Cost of Leeds movers
- Cost of Russellville movers
- Cost of Saks movers
- Cost of Valley movers
- Cost of Clay movers
- Cost of Fairfield movers
- Cost of Rainbow City movers
- Cost of Boaz movers
- Cost of Muscle Shoals movers
- Cost of Trussville movers
- Cost of Troy movers
- Cost of Tillmans Corner movers
- Cost of Alabaster movers
- Cost of Albertville movers
- Cost of Alexander City movers
- Cost of Anniston movers
- Cost of Athens movers
- Cost of Auburn movers
- Cost of Bessemer movers
- Cost of Calera movers
- Cost of Center Point movers
- Cost of Chelsea movers
- Cost of Cullman movers
- Cost of Daphne movers
- Cost of Decatur movers
- Cost of Dothan movers
- Cost of Enterprise movers
- Cost of Fairhope movers
- Cost of Florence movers
- Cost of Foley movers
- Cost of Fort Payne movers
- Cost of Gadsden movers
- Cost of Gardendale movers
- Cost of Gulf Shores movers
- Cost of Hartselle movers
- Cost of Helena movers
- Cost of Homewood movers
- Cost of Hoover movers
- Cost of Hueytown movers
- Cost of Jasper movers
- Cost of Madison movers
- Cost of Millbrook movers
- Cost of Mountain Brook movers
- Cost of Northport movers
- Cost of Opelika movers
- Cost of Oxford movers
- Cost of Ozark movers
- Cost of Pelham movers
- Cost of Phenix City movers
- Cost of Prattville movers
- Cost of Prichard movers
- Cost of Saraland movers
- Cost of Scottsboro movers
- Cost of Selma movers
- Cost of Talladega movers
- Cost of Vestavia Hills movers
Average cost to hire an interstate mover in Alabama
The cost of an interstate move from Alabama to another state has even more variables than a local move.
Out-of-state, or Interstate, moves mean longer distances, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices. Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and time of year are additional cost factors that can drive up your overall expenses. Rather than pay an hourly rate (like you would with local movers), an interstate moving company will charge you based on the total weight of your belongings.
Below are some cost examples from popular moving routes.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of Alabama
- Alabama to California: $4,027–$7,630
- Alabama to New York: $3,064–$6,686
- Alabama to Illinois: $2,780–$6,225
- Alabama to Texas: $2,898–$6,272
- Alabama to Arizona: $3,759–$7,392
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Alabama should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance moving movers in Alabama.
Best interstate moving companies in Alabama
These are the best interstate moving companies available in Alabama:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5
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Best local moving companies in Alabama
Staying in Alabama and moving just a short distance? Check out the best moving companies in Alabama.
- Applewhite Movers LLC: 4.8 out of 5
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.76 out of 5
- New Latitude Movers : 4.76 out of 5
- Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5
Factors that affect the cost of your Alabama move
The following common factors will affect the cost of your Alabama move:
- The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor means you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure that you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in Alabama.
- The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from Alabama to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
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The type of move:
You have four main options for your Alabama move:
- Hiring a full-service moving company
- Renting a moving truck
- Getting a moving container
- Using a freight trailer
- Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
- Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your Alabama move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
- The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of Alabama between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.
The average cost of living in Alabama
- The cost index in Alabama is 87. This means it’s about 13% less expensive than the national average.
- The average rent in Alabama for a one-bedroom apartment is $811 which is 38.84% lower than the national average.
- The average home value in Alabama is $221,428 which is about 37.81% less expensive than the national average.
- The average income in Alabama is $59,609 which is about 8.29% lower than the national average.
Options you have when moving in Alabama
Hire a professional moving company
Hiring a professional mover in Alabama is most likely going to be the most expensive option, but you are paying for some extra convenience, like not having to load and drive a truck yourself.
Below is a list of the best moving companies in Alabama to hire for your move.
Moving truck rental
Rent a moving truck from a company like U-Haul to pack, load, and transport your belongings from one Alabama location to another or to another state. This is the cheapest option but will require the most amount of work — you’ll need to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place.
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
Moving containers or PODS
Rent a moving container if you’re looking for a balance of affordability and convenience. With this moving option, you load the container and the professionals drive it to your new location in Alabama for you. Moving containers typically cost more than a rental truck but less than hiring a professional mover.
This is also a great option if you need storage with your move. Many container companies like PODS include 30-days of free storage with all moves.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Hire a freight shipper
Use freight shipping if you are moving a large amount of stuff across the country from Alabama. With a freight shipper, you pack a large 28-foot trailer at your house and they drive it for you. This is a good option for large cross-country moves.
How do I ship a car in Alabama?
Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move. Here are the top car shippers in AL:
| Company | Our take | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Auto Ship |
4.9 / 5
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| Sherpa Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| Ship A Car Direct |
4 / 5
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| Montway Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| AmeriFreight Car Transport |
4.3 / 5
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Things to know about your Alabama move
Although cost is certainly important, there are other factors that you should consider about your move.
- 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.
- Mover's 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.
- Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
Tips to save money on your Alabama move
Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your Alabama move:
- Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
- Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
- Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
- Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
- Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your Alabama move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.
What is the cheapest way to move in Alabama?
The cheapest way to move within Alabama is by using a DIY option. For some people in Alabama, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.
While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of Alabama, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can save you money on shorter-distance moves. But for out-of-state relocations, hidden or unexpected expenses like gas, mileage, toll charges, and even food and accommodations on your trip can add up quickly and even push the price of your truck rental above what it would cost to use a full-service mover.
To help you decide, use our moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.
Helpful Alabama resources
Alabama Moving services
City moving costs
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