($1,316) Moving From Alabama to Washington
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Alabama to Washington ranges from $1,486 to $8,218 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service Alabama moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Alabama to Washington separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Washington to Alabama guide.
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The best Alabama to Washington movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Alabama to Washington is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Alabama to Washington:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local Alabama movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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1040 Broadway Park, Birmingham, AL, 35209 (205) 209-4551 |
| Applewhite Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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5640 Oakwood Road Northwest, Huntsville, AL, 35806 (256) 430-1198 |
| Coleman Worldwide Moving | Get A Quote |
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1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL, 36108 (877) 693-7060 |
Visit our Best Movers in Alabama page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from Alabama to Washington?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Alabama to Washington for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,316 - $5,342 | $1,274 - $3,234 | $1,443 - $2,739 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,763 - $8,218 | $2,239 - $4,754 | $1,486 - $3,099 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,508 - $11,986 | $3,340 - $6,795 | $1,955 - $4,000 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,541 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from AL to WA
There are many factors that influence Alabama moving costs. The cost to move from Alabama to Washington will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Alabama is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from Alabama to Washington?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Alabama to Washington will cost between $1,316 and $5,342. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from AL to WA will range from $3,763 to $8,218, and a large move from Alabama to Washington will cost from $7,508 to $11,986.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Alabama to Washington?
Moving containers from Alabama to Washington will cost you $1,274 to $3,234 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,239 to $4,754. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,340 to $6,795. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Alabama.
How much is a moving truck from Alabama to Washington?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,443 to $2,739.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,486 to $3,099,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Alabama to Washington costs from
$1,955 to $4,000.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Alabama to Washington a good idea?
If you’re moving to Washington from Alabama, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Alabama vs. Washington
| Alabama | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $925 | $1,900 |
| Average home cost | $227,508 | $588,856 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,609 | $90,325 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 115 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 4.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.22% | 6.5% |
| State Income Tax | 5.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 105% more expensive in Washington than in Alabama.
- Home prices are about 159% higher in Washington than in Alabama.
- The average income is about 52% higher in Washington than in Alabama.
- Cost of living is 31% lower in Washington than in Alabama.
- Washington has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 66%.
- Sales taxes are 30% lower in Washington than in Alabama.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Washington than in Alabama.
How does life in Washington differ from Alabama?
| Washington | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,812,880 | 5,108,468 |
| Political leaning | Democratic | Republican 65-35 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 31ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 56" |
| Annual snow | 18" | 1" |
| Crime index | 37.32 | 21.48 |
- The population of Washington is approximately 53% greater than the population of Alabama.
- In the last presidential election, Washington voted Democratic and Alabama voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Washington is 79ºF and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Washington reaches the temperature of 31ºF and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-eight inches of annual rainfall in Washington versus fifty-six inches of rainfall in Alabama.
- In Washington, it snows about eighteen inches annually versus one inches of snow in Alabama.
- Washington has a higher crime rate than Alabama with a crime index of 37.32 vs 21.48.
Comparing the pros of Alabama vs. Washington
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Alabama versus Washington side by side.
| Pros of living in Alabama | Pros of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Beautiful landscapes |
| Tasty southern comfort food | Ample economic opportunity |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | High quality of life |
| Top-notch college football | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Rich history | Delicious seafood |
Comparing the cons of living in Alabama vs. Washington
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Alabama for Washington.
| Cons of living in Alabama | Cons of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Poor quality of life | Constant rain |
| Severe weather | Bad traffic |
| Restrictive alcohol laws | High cost of living |
| Poor healthcare | High crime rate |
| Cockroaches | Natural disasters |
What to know before your move to Washington
- Weather: Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Washington 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Washington. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Washington
While you’re in Washington, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Space Needle and Seattle Center
- Pike Place Market
- The Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Lake Chelan
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Leavenworth
- Museum of Glass
- Washington State Capitol Building
- Bellingham
- Puget Sound
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Spokane Riverfront Park
- Deception Pass State Park
- Washington State Ferries
- Port Angeles
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Alabama to Washington?
The cheapest way to move from Alabama to Washington is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from Alabama to Washington?
The main reasons people are moving from Alabama to Washington are the amazing upsides of living in Washington such as beautiful landscapes and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Washington?
It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in Washington. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 51% less and home prices 61% lower than in Washington. Washington has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Washington?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Washington you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Airway Heights will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
