($1,159) Moving from Chicago to Birmingham
Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Birmingham costs $514 to $5,597 and takes one-six 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 662-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Chicago 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 Chicago guide.
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The best Chicago to Birmingham moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Birmingham?
Chicago movers charge $100 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 | $1,159 - $3,430 | $770 - $1,699 | $506 - $920 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,201 - $5,597 | $1,306 - $2,628 | $514 - $1,125 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,639 - $8,017 | $1,872 - $3,205 | $702 - $1,293 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Birmingham
The cost of Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham can be as low as $1,159 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,335.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Chicago, 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 $506 to $1,236. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Birmingham?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to Birmingham will cost between $1,159 to $3,430. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,201 to $5,597, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to Birmingham will cost from $3,639 to $8,017.
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Birmingham?
Moving containers from Chicago to Birmingham will cost you $770 to $1,699 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,306 to $2,628. A larger home will cost $1,872 to $3,205.
How much is a moving truck from Chicago 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 $506 to $920. A larger move will cost $514 to $1,125, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to Birmingham costs from $702 to $1,293. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Chicago to Birmingham
Cost of living: Chicago vs Birmingham
| Chicago | Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,595 | $1,271 |
| Average home value | $306,098 | $126,558 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,601 | $39,403 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,001 | $1,075 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $3,584 | $3,808 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 6.0% |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 10.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 5.0% |
- Rent prices in Birmingham are 20% lower than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Birmingham are 58.7% lower than in Chicago.
- Income in Birmingham is 39.9% lower than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Birmingham is 7.4% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Birmingham is 6.3% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Birmingham is 33.33% lower than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Birmingham are 2.44% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Birmingham are 1.01% higher than in Chicago.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,221.78 in Birmingham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How is life different in Chicago compared to Birmingham?
| Birmingham | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,733 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 0 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 31 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 66.48 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 41.82 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Birmingham's population is about 93% less than Chicago.
- Birmingham's public transportation has a score of 0 out of 10 versus Chicago's lower score of 9.
- Birmingham is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Birmingham is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
- Birmingham's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 66.48 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Birmingham neighborhoods are safer than 66.48% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Birmingham is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 41.82 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Birmingham is good, and in Chicago 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 Chicago movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 (847) 378-4949 |
| New City Moving | Get A Quote |
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
| The Professionals Moving Specialists | Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham?
The best time to move from Chicago to Birmingham is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Birmingham?
Because most people are moving from Chicago 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 Chicago to Birmingham take?
The 662-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Birmingham, AL, takes one-six days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Birmingham.
