($1,165) Moving From West Virginia to Alabama

Quick answer: The average cost to move from West Virginia to Alabama ranges from $520 to $5,859 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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  • Family owned
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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service West 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 West 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 West Virginia guide.

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The best West Virginia to Alabama movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from West 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 West 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 West Virginia movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.24 overall rating
1301 7th Ave # A, Huntington, WV, 25701
(304) 529-2360
Central Van Lines Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4 overall rating
37 Jacobson Dr, Poca, WV, 25159
(304) 755-1898

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

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

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from West 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 $1,165 - $3,703 $751 - $1,853 $527 - $952
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,321 - $5,859 $1,299 - $2,673 $520 - $1,176
4+ bedrooms $4,034 - $8,199 $1,810 - $3,239 $712 - $1,315

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 708 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 WV to AL

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from West Virginia to Alabama will cost between $1,165 and $3,703. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from WV to AL will range from $2,321 to $5,859, and a large move from West Virginia to Alabama will cost from $4,034 to $8,199.

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

Moving containers from West Virginia to Alabama will cost you $751 to $1,853 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,299 to $2,673. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,810 to $3,239. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from West 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 $527 to $952. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $520 to $1,176, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from West Virginia to Alabama costs from $712 to $1,315.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from West Virginia to Alabama a good idea?

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

Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Alabama

West Virginia Alabama
Average rent cost $899 $925
Average home cost $168,172 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 90 88
Unemployment rate 4.2% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 9.22%
State Income Tax 6.5% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 3% more expensive in Alabama than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 35% higher in Alabama than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 8% higher in Alabama than in West Virginia.
  • Cost of living is 2% lower in Alabama than in West Virginia.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 31%.
  • Sales taxes are 54% higher in Alabama than in West Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 23% lower in Alabama than in West Virginia.

How does life in Alabama differ from West Virginia?

Alabama West Virginia
Population 5,108,468 1,782,959
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Republican 69-30
Summer high 91ºF 83ºF
Winter low 33ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 56" 45"
Annual snow 1" 33"
Crime index 21.48 17.47
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 187% greater than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about fifty-six inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus forty-five inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Alabama, it snows about one inches annually versus thirty-three inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 21.48 vs 17.47.

Comparing the pros of West 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 West Virginia versus Alabama side by side.

Pros of living in West Virginia Pros of living in Alabama
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Abundant outdoor activities Tasty southern comfort food
4 distinct seasons of weather Bountiful recreational opportunities
Immense natural beauty Top-notch college football
Relaxed small cities and towns Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in West 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 West Virginia for Alabama.

Cons of living in West Virginia Cons of living in Alabama
Dismal economy Poor quality of life
High rates of crime Severe weather
High rates of drug abuse Restrictive alcohol laws
Shrinking population Poor healthcare
Lack of diversity 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 West Virginia to Alabama?

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

The main reasons people are moving from West 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 West Virginia or Alabama?

It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Alabama. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 3% less and home prices 26% lower than in Alabama. However, taxes are lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by West 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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