($1,205) Moving from San Francisco to Birmingham

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Birmingham costs $1,354 to $7,547 and takes seven-eighteen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,325-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Birmingham to San Francisco guide.

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The best San Francisco to Birmingham moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Birmingham 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 San Francisco to Birmingham.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Birmingham?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,205 - $5,213 $1,274 - $3,009 $1,290 - $2,519
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,512 - $7,547 $2,154 - $4,694 $1,354 - $2,848
4+ bedrooms $6,929 - $12,017 $2,899 - $6,178 $1,852 - $3,786
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,325 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Birmingham

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Birmingham can be as low as $1,205 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,101.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,290 to $3,354. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Birmingham?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Birmingham will cost between $1,205 to $5,213. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,512 to $7,547, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Birmingham will cost from $6,929 to $12,017.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Birmingham?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Birmingham will cost you $1,274 to $3,009 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,154 to $4,694. A larger home will cost $2,899 to $6,178.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Birmingham?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $1,290 to $2,519. A larger move will cost $1,354 to $2,848, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Birmingham costs from $1,852 to $3,786. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Birmingham

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Birmingham

San Francisco Birmingham
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,271
Average home value $1,234,246 $126,558
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $39,403
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $1,075
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $3,808
Unemployment rate 5.4% 6.0%
Sales Tax 8.63% 10.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.0%
  • Rent prices in Birmingham are 61% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Birmingham are 89.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Birmingham is 68.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 72.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 57.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 11.11% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Birmingham are 15.87% higher than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Birmingham are 62.41% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $839.84 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Birmingham?

Birmingham San Francisco
Population 200,733 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 0 10
Walkability score 33 99
Bike friendliness score 31 99
Crime Index 66.48 54.33
Safety Index 41.82 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Birmingham's population is about 75% less than San Francisco.
  • Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Birmingham is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 33 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Birmingham is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 31 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Birmingham's crime rate is higher than San Francisco with a score of 66.48 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 66.48% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Birmingham is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 41.82 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Birmingham

  • Weather: Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
  • 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Alabama 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 Birmingham. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Luigy's Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
NorthStar Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
One Bush Plaza Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA, 94104
(415) 635-3844

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Birmingham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "B'ham", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Birmingham.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Central City
  • Five Points South
  • Highland Park
  • Fountain Heights
  • Southside

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Oxmoor
  • Crestwood South
  • Redmont Park

What to do in Birmingham

These are some of the best things to do in your new Alabama home.

  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Bartow Arena
  • Vulcan Park and Museum
  • McWane Science Center
  • Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
  • Legion Field
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Park
  • Sips N Strokes
  • Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
  • Birmingham Museum of Art

Get your sports on!

Birmingham is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Birmingham?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Birmingham is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Birmingham?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Birmingham in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from San Francisco to Birmingham take?

The 2,325-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Birmingham, AL, takes seven-eighteen days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Birmingham.

Helpful moving resources