Moving from Birmingham, AL to Plano, TX
It is 652 mi between Birmingham and Plano β roughly 11h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
652 mi Β· 11h 50m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.5% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $135,870 to $498,989 moving to Plano.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9Β°F) and Plano (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.6 |
Plano households earn about 12.5% more than Birmingham at the median β $44,376 β $108,649 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does household income compare in Birmingham vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 144.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 267.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Plano more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 12.5% higher than Birmingham (103.09 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Plano, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 652 mi and the route typically takes 11h 50m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 652 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· Plano, TX.