Moving from Birmingham, AL to Irving, TX
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Irving, TX runs 652 mi — about 11h 50m 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.
652 mi · 11h 50m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Irving | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 91.644 in Birmingham to 103.09 in Irving, a 12.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Irving: 12.5% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 37.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.71 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.5% between Birmingham and Irving (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 — 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 Irving average 96°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
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 652 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 151.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 56.6 in.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving 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.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 79.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irving more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 12.5% higher than Birmingham (103.09 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Irving, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 652 mi and the route typically takes 11h 50m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 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 Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Irving, TX.