Moving from Birmingham, AL to Tyler, TX
Relocating 550 mi from Birmingham to Tyler is a 10h 5m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
550 mi Β· 10h 5m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 47.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.6% β $44,376 β $65,527 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
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 Tyler average 93Β°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
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 550 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 Tyler compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 85.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tyler, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 550 mi and the route typically takes 10h 5m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tyler more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 0.6% higher than Birmingham (92.156 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tyler compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 111,520 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 47.7% 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 Β· Tyler, TX.