Moving from Birmingham, AL to South Fulton, GA
It is a 139 mi drive, roughly 2h 41m, between Birmingham, AL and South Fulton, GA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
139 mi · 2h 41m by car · AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, GA 92, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.2% above Birmingham — 91.644 → 100.058 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, South Fulton —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: South Fulton gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.76 |
South Fulton households earn about 9.2% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $81,798 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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 South Fulton average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is South Fulton, GA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 139 mi and the route typically takes 2h 41m via I 20 and GA 92. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 84.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is South Fulton more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 9.2% higher than Birmingham (100.058 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and South Fulton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in South Fulton vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 56.6 in.
How does the job market in South Fulton compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 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 South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 139 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 · South Fulton, GA.