Moving from Birmingham, AL to Grand Prairie, TX
A move from Birmingham, AL to Grand Prairie, TX covers 651 mi and around 11h 45m of driving through 4 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.
651 mi Β· 11h 45m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β 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
| Birmingham | Grand Prairie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Grand Prairie is 12.5% higher than Birmingham, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Grand Prairie is 12.5% above Birmingham β $135,870 vs $316,527 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Grand Prairie -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 41.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9Β°F) and Grand Prairie (65.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, JOE POOL LAKE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 198,564 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $78,889 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Grand Prairie is 12.5% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $78,889, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Grand Prairie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Grand Prairie average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Grand Prairie compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,527 in Grand Prairie vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 133.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Grand Prairie, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 651 mi and the route typically takes 11h 45m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Grand Prairie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 651 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Grand Prairie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,889 in Grand Prairie vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 77.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Grand Prairie compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Grand Prairie more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Grand Prairie is 12.5% higher than Birmingham (103.09 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 Β· Grand Prairie, TX.