Moving from Beaumont, TX to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Beaumont, TX to Birmingham, AL runs 584 mi — about 10h 39m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
584 mi · 10h 39m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Beaumont | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.046 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.098 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.939 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Beaumont (90.046) and Birmingham (91.644) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Birmingham ZHVI at $135,870 is 1.8% below Beaumont at $166,671.
YoY change: Beaumont +1.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Beaumont | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 65.1" | 56.6" |
Climate cools by 5.6°F on the annual average — 69.5°F → 63.9°F.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BEAUMONT CITY, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Beaumont | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $57,530 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between Beaumont and Birmingham (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
Is Birmingham more expensive than Beaumont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.8% higher than Beaumont (91.644 vs 90.046, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Beaumont and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 69.5°F in Beaumont (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 65.1 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Beaumont, TX?
The driving distance is 584 mi and the route typically takes 10h 39m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Beaumont vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $57,530 in Beaumont — a 22.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Beaumont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 155,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Beaumont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $166,671 in Beaumont — a 18.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Beaumont 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 584 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 Beaumont.
City profiles: Beaumont, TX · Birmingham, AL.