($1,076) Cost of Moving From Virginia to Alabama

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Virginia to Alabama ranges from $507 to $5,252 and takes one–six 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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  • Veteran owned
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 1,800 trucks
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Alabama to Virginia guide.

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The best Virginia to Alabama full-service movers

Moving from Virginia to Alabama? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Virginia for your Alabama relocation:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

The best Virginia to Alabama moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Virginia and drop it off at your new home in Alabama.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best Virginia to Alabama moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Virginia to Alabama, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best Virginia to Alabama labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Virginia to Alabama:

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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
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  • Affordable

How we chose the best moving companies for your VA to AL movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 71 Virginia movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from Virginia to Alabama?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Virginia to Alabama for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,076 - $3,454 $723 - $1,694 $519 - $953
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,189 - $5,252 $1,354 - $2,542 $507 - $1,055
4+ bedrooms $3,774 - $7,899 $1,671 - $3,229 $666 - $1,356

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 669 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.

Cost to hire movers from Virginia to Alabamatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Virginia to Alabama will cost between $1,076 and $3,454. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from VA to AL will range from $2,189 to $5,252, and a large move from Virginia to Alabama will cost from $3,774 to $7,899.

Cost of moving containers from Virginia to Alabamatoggle

Moving containers from Virginia to Alabama will cost you $723 to $1,694 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,354 to $2,542. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,671 to $3,229. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Virginia.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Virginia to Alabamatoggle

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 $519 to $953. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $507 to $1,055, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Virginia to Alabama costs from $666 to $1,356.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from VA to AL

There are many factors that influence Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from Virginia to Alabama 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 Virginia 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.

What to know before moving from VA to AL

If you’re moving to Alabama from Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Virginia vs. Alabama

Virginia Alabama
Average rent cost $1,440 $925
Average home cost $392,682 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $87,249 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 0 88
Unemployment rate 2.9% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 5.73% 9.22%
State Income Tax 5.75% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 36% less expensive in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 42% lower in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • The average income is about 32% lower in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Alabama and Virginia have about the same unemployment rate.
  • Sales taxes are 61% higher in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 13% lower in Alabama than in Virginia.

How life is different in Alabama vs. Virginia

Alabama Virginia
Population 5,108,468 8,715,698
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Democratic 52-48
Summer high 91ºF 87ºF
Winter low 33ºF 25ºF
Annual rain 56" 44"
Annual snow 1" 14"
Crime index 21.48 19.3
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 41% lower than the population of Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and Virginia voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in Virginia, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and Virginia gets down to 25ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 44 inches of rainfall in Virginia.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 14 inches of snow in Virginia.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than Virginia with a crime index of 21.48 vs. 19.3.

Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. Alabama

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Alabama compared to Virginia.

Pros of living in Virginia Pros of living in Alabama
Strong economy Low cost of living
Beautiful scenery Tasty southern comfort food
Abundance of outdoor activities Bountiful recreational opportunities
Enjoyable four season weather Top-notch college football
Strong military presence Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in Virginia vs. Alabama

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Virginia for Alabama.

Cons of living in Virginia Cons of living in Alabama
High cost of living Poor quality of life
Unpredictable weather Severe weather
Bad traffic congestion Restrictive alcohol laws
Lack of public transportation Poor healthcare
Air noise pollution Cockroaches

Other things to consider for your Virginia to Alabama movetoggle

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
  • 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: 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Alabama. 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. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Alabamatoggle

While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • US Space & Rocket Center
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
  • Point Mallard Park
  • Cheaha State Park
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Gulf Shores
  • McWane Science Center
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia to Alabama?toggle

Hiring a full-service Virginia moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Virginia to Alabama?toggle

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 Virginia to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Virginia to Alabama?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Virginia to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or Alabama?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in Alabama. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 36% less and home prices 42.1% lower than in Virginia. Taxes are also lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Virginia residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Alabama?toggle

You should make approximately $55,474 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Alabama. The cost of living in Alabama is approximately $2,392 per month for an individual and $3,855 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Alabama you live For example, larger cities like Huntsville and Montgomery will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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