Moving from Birmingham, AL to Aurora, IL
A move from Birmingham, AL to Aurora, IL covers 693 mi and around 13h 3m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
693 mi · 13h 3m by car · AL → TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 294, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora is 13.0% higher than Birmingham, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 13.0% above Birmingham — $135,870 vs $316,958 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 39.5" |
Aurora is 13.7°F cooler on the annual average (63.9°F vs 50.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Aurora is 13.0% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $90,109, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 1.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 103.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 693 mi and the route typically takes 13h 3m via I 65 and I 294. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 133.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (13.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 13.0% higher than Birmingham (103.595 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Aurora, IL.