Moving from Birmingham, AL to Modesto, CA
Cross-country relocations like Birmingham, AL β Modesto, CA cover 2247 mi and about 39h 14m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2247 mi Β· 39h 14m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.6% pricier overall in Modesto than Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Modesto typical home at $446,494 is 13.6% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.9Β°F vs 63.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 3.02 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.6% between Birmingham and Modesto (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 228.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Modesto more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 13.6% higher than Birmingham (104.108 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Modesto, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2247 mi and the route typically takes 39h 14m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 75.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2247 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Modesto, CA.