Moving from Birmingham, AL to Jersey City, NJ
It is 957 mi between Birmingham and Jersey City — roughly 17h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
957 mi · 17h 53m by car · NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 52, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.644 in Birmingham to 112.563 in Jersey City, putting overall prices 22.8% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $135,870 to $658,269 moving to Jersey City.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 9.1°F moving to Jersey City per NOAA normals.
Jersey City averages 28.2 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, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.35 |
Jersey City households earn about 22.8% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $94,813 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see 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 — Jersey City averages 28.2 in annually vs 1.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 957 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 957 mi and the route typically takes 17h 53m via I 81 and US 52. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 113.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 22.8% higher than Birmingham (112.563 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 384.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (9.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 56.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Jersey City, NJ.