Moving from Birmingham, AL to Phoenix, AZ
It is 1697 mi and 29h 20m from Birmingham to Phoenix β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1697 mi Β· 29h 20m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Phoenix | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Phoenix runs about 12.7% more expensive overall than Birmingham β RPP 91.644 β 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $410,169 in Phoenix, a 12.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Phoenix -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 8.9" |
Expect 8.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 1,624,832 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $77,041 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.7 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.7% β $44,376 β $77,041 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Phoenix MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-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 Phoenix average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Phoenix sees only 8.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Phoenix?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,041 in Phoenix vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 73.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Phoenix compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Phoenix?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1697 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Phoenix compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $410,169 in Phoenix vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 201.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Phoenix, AZ from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 1697 mi and the route typically takes 29h 20m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Phoenix more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Phoenix is 12.7% higher than Birmingham (103.316 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 Β· Phoenix, AZ.