Moving from Birmingham, AL to Wilmington, NC
A move from Birmingham, AL to Wilmington, NC covers 564 mi and around 10h 33m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
564 mi · 10h 33m by car · AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 74, NC 130 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Wilmington is 5.2% higher than Birmingham, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Wilmington is 5.2% above Birmingham — $135,870 vs $416,159 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| 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" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9°F) and Wilmington (64.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Wilmington gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.15 |
Median household income in Wilmington is 5.2% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $63,900, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wilmington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,880 | $27,660 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,320 | $38,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,960 | $34,860 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,580 | $35,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,220 | $76,440 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wilmington 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: Wilmington averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Wilmington compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Wilmington more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 5.2% higher than Birmingham (96.422 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Wilmington?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 44.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 206.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Wilmington, NC from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 564 mi and the route typically takes 10h 33m via I 20 and US 74. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Wilmington?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Wilmington vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 56.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Wilmington, NC.