Moving from Birmingham, AL to Tempe, AZ
A 1653 mi cross-country move between Birmingham and Tempe is 29h 19m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1653 mi · 29h 19m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 270 |
| 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 | Tempe | 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 |
Overall prices come in 12.7% above Birmingham — 91.644 → 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 7.9°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 12.7% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $77,643 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe 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 — 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 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 far is Tempe, AZ from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 1653 mi and the route typically takes 29h 19m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1653 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (7.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 56.6 in.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe 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.
Is Tempe more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 12.7% higher than Birmingham (103.316 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 244.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 75.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Tempe, AZ.