($1,484) Movers From Birmingham, AL to Houston, TX

What to know before moving from Birmingham to Houston

Moving from Birmingham to Houston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Houston is generally more expensive than Birmingham, 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 Houston are 24% higher than in Birmingham, which means you’ll have less 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 Houston are 109.5% higher than in Birmingham.
• Income in Houston is 77.2% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Houston include H-E-B, Houston Methodist, and Memorial Hermann Health System.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Houston, since the cost of living for a single person in Houston is 2.7% higher than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Houston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Houston is 6.4% higher than in Birmingham.
• The unemployment rate in Houston is 26.79% lower than in Birmingham.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Houston, since the city’s sales taxes in Houston are 17.50% lower than in Birmingham.
• One perk of moving to Houston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Birmingham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,081.20 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.

How life is different in Birmingham vs. Houston

• Houston's population is about 1,070% greater than Birmingham.
• Houston's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Birmingham's lower score of 0.
• Houston is more walkable than Birmingham with a score of 47 out of 100 vs Birmingham's 33 out of 100.
• With a score of 49 out of 100, Houston is more bike-friendly than Birmingham, which has a score of 31 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Houston and Birmingham have a similar crime rate.
• Houston and Birmingham are considered to be equally safe.
• Air quality in Houston is good, and in Birmingham it's good.

Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. Houston move

• Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late summer months may affect your move.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Houston. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Houston

Now that you've decided to make the move to "HOU", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Houston.

Helpful moving resources