($1,257) Moving from Des Moines to Birmingham

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Birmingham costs $606 to $6,172 and takes two-seven 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 838-mile move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines 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 Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Birmingham moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Birmingham.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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 Des Moines to Birmingham?

Des Moines movers charge $142 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 $1,257 - $4,318 $790 - $1,880 $567 - $1,113
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,490 - $6,172 $1,463 - $2,971 $606 - $1,296
4+ bedrooms $4,009 - $8,118 $1,965 - $3,624 $782 - $1,525
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 838 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 Des Moines to Birmingham

The cost of Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Birmingham can be as low as $1,257 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,181.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, 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 $567 to $1,397. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Birmingham?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Birmingham will cost between $1,257 to $4,318. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,490 to $6,172, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Birmingham will cost from $4,009 to $8,118.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Birmingham?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Birmingham will cost you $790 to $1,880 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,463 to $2,971. A larger home will cost $1,965 to $3,624.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines 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 $567 to $1,113. A larger move will cost $606 to $1,296, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Birmingham costs from $782 to $1,525. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Birmingham

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Birmingham

Des Moines Birmingham
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,271
Average home value $192,347 $126,558
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $39,403
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,075
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,808
Unemployment rate 5.9% 6.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 10.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.0%
  • Rent prices in Birmingham are 11% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Birmingham are 34.2% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Birmingham is 32.6% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 43.2% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 13.1% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 1.69% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Birmingham are 42.86% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Birmingham are 13.64% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,705.45 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to Birmingham?

Birmingham Des Moines
Population 200,733 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 0 5
Walkability score 33 45
Bike friendliness score 31 39
Crime Index 66.48 5.0
Safety Index 41.82 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Birmingham's population is about 71% less than Des Moines.
  • Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Birmingham is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Birmingham is less bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 66.48 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 66.48% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Birmingham is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 41.82 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

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 Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Birmingham?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Birmingham?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Birmingham take?

The 838-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL, takes two-seven days. Some Des Moines 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