($1,079) Moving From Virginia to Alabama

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Virginia to Alabama ranges from $568 to $5,483 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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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Virginia 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 Virginia to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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 movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Virginia to Alabama 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 Virginia to Alabama:

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
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Virginia movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Global Moving Systems Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
7664 Fullerton Rd # N, Springfield, VA, 22153
(800) 224-0906
My Pro Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
8370 Greensboro Dr Apt 817, McLean, VA, 22102
(703) 310-7333

Visit our Best Movers in Virginia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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 $1,079 - $3,502 $747 - $1,717 $476 - $957
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,050 - $5,483 $1,400 - $2,524 $568 - $1,147
4+ bedrooms $3,751 - $7,625 $1,836 - $3,340 $682 - $1,347

*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.

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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Virginia to Alabama?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Virginia to Alabama will cost between $1,079 and $3,502. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from VA to AL will range from $2,050 to $5,483, and a large move from Virginia to Alabama will cost from $3,751 to $7,625.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Virginia to Alabama?

Moving containers from Virginia to Alabama will cost you $747 to $1,717 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,400 to $2,524. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,836 to $3,340. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from Virginia to Alabama?

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 $476 to $957. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $568 to $1,147, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Virginia to Alabama costs from $682 to $1,347.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Virginia to Alabama a good idea?

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 $1,257 $811
Average home cost $372,801 $221,428
Average income (per capita) $87,249 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 0 87
Unemployment rate 3.3% 2.3%
Average Sales Tax 5.73% 9.22%
State Income Tax 5.75% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 35% less expensive in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 41% 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 has a lower unemployment rate than Virginia by about 30%.
  • Sales taxes are 61% higher in Alabama than in Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 13% lower in Alabama than in Virginia.

How does life in Alabama differ from Virginia?

Alabama Virginia
Population 5,074,296 8,683,619
Political leaning Republican 62-37 Democratic 54-44
Summer high 91ºF 87ºF
Winter low 33ºF 25ºF
Annual rain 56" 44"
Annual snow 1" 14"
Crime index 31.82 17.05
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 42% 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 fifty-six inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus forty-four inches of rainfall in Virginia.
  • In Alabama, it snows about one inches annually versus fourteen inches of snow in Virginia.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than Virginia with a crime index of 31.82 vs 17.05.

Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. Alabama

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Virginia versus Alabama side by side.

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

Not everything is 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

What to know before your move to Alabama

  • 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.
  • 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 Alabama

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?

The cheapest way to move from Virginia to Alabama 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 Virginia to Alabama?

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?

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 40.6% 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?

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 Alabama you live For example, larger cities like Alabaster and Albertville will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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