Moving from Birmingham, AL to Murrieta, CA
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Murrieta, CA is a 2010 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 6m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2010 mi Β· 35h 6m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Murrieta is 16.1% higher than Birmingham, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Murrieta is 16.1% above Birmingham β $135,870 vs $688,358 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 15.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9Β°F) and Murrieta (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 3.15 |
Median household income in Murrieta is 16.1% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $109,780, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 406.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 147.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2010 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 16.1% higher than Birmingham (106.442 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2010 mi and the route typically takes 35h 6m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 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 Β· Murrieta, CA.