Moving from Birmingham, AL to Roseville, CA
Cross-country relocations like Birmingham, AL β Roseville, CA cover 2337 mi and about 41h 5m 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.
2337 mi Β· 41h 5m 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, CA 99, I 22 |
| 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 | Roseville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 91.644 in Birmingham to 106.67 in Roseville, a 16.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Roseville: 16.4% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Roseville -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Roseville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 18.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, SACRAMENTO METRO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Roseville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 152,438 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $117,354 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.63 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 16.4% between Birmingham and Roseville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Roseville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Roseville average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 household income compare in Birmingham vs Roseville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,354 in Roseville vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 164.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Roseville more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Roseville is 16.4% higher than Birmingham (106.67 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Roseville compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Roseville MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Roseville, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2337 mi and the route typically takes 41h 5m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Roseville compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $644,324 in Roseville vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 374.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Roseville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2337 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· Roseville, CA.