Moving from Birmingham, AL to Odessa, TX
A move from Birmingham, AL to Odessa, TX covers 988 mi and around 17h 30m of driving through 4 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.
988 mi · 17h 30m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Birmingham (91.644) and Odessa (93.896) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Odessa: 2.5% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Odessa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 2.5% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $73,030, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How far is Odessa, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 988 mi and the route typically takes 17h 30m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 84.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 64.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Odessa more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 2.5% higher than Birmingham (93.896 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 988 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Odessa, TX.