Moving from Abilene, TX to Birmingham, AL
It is 819 mi between Abilene and Birmingham — roughly 14h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
819 mi · 14h 41m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.364 vs 91.644 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $210,016 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9°F) and Birmingham (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 1.4% less than Abilene at the median — $62,720 → $44,376 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.4% higher than Abilene (91.644 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 819 mi and the route typically takes 14h 41m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 35.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 29.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 65.9°F in Abilene (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 25.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Birmingham, AL.