Moving from Billings, MT to Birmingham, AL
Moving from Billings, MT to Birmingham, AL is a 1705 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 17m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1705 mi · 31h 17m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → IA → SD → WY → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → IA → SD → WY → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Springfield, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and Billings are close on the overall BEA RPP (93.526 vs 91.644); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 2.0% under Billings at $392,209 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 56.6" |
NOAA normals show Birmingham running 15.7°F above Billings on the annual mean.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 2.0% below Billings ($71,855 vs $44,376, ACS 5-year 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 Montana 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Billings 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 1705 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $71,855 in Billings — a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $392,209 in Billings — a 65.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 48.2°F in Billings (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 14.3 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.0% lower than Billings (91.644 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1705 mi and the route typically takes 31h 17m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Birmingham, AL.