Moving from Birmingham, AL to Kansas City, KS
A move from Birmingham, AL to Kansas City, KS covers 697 mi and around 13h 41m of driving through 6 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.
697 mi · 13h 41m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, MO 13 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Springfield, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Kansas City and Birmingham are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.644 vs 92.543); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Kansas City typical home at $198,195 is 1.0% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 38.1" |
Kansas City is 7.0°F cooler on the annual average (63.9°F vs 56.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Kansas City is 1.0% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $59,183, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 33.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 45.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 697 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 697 mi and the route typically takes 13h 41m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (7.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.0% higher than Birmingham (92.543 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 · Kansas City, KS.