Moving from Birmingham, AL to Houston, TX
Relocating 669 mi from Birmingham to Houston is a 12h 18m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
669 mi · 12h 18m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston runs about 7.6% more expensive overall than Birmingham — RPP 91.644 → 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $264,336 in Houston, a 7.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 54.1" |
Expect 6.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to rise 7.6% — $44,376 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — 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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Houston, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 669 mi and the route typically takes 12h 18m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.6% higher than Birmingham (98.629 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 94.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (6.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 56.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 669 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 41.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Houston, TX.