Moving from Broken Arrow, OK to Birmingham, AL
A move from Broken Arrow, OK to Birmingham, AL covers 624 mi and around 11h 2m of driving through 5 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.
624 mi Β· 11h 2m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Broken Arrow | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Broken Arrow (89.214) and Birmingham (91.644) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Birmingham: 2.7% below Broken Arrow on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Broken Arrow +2.1%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Broken Arrow | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIXBY, OK US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Broken Arrow | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $85,220 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 2.7% below Broken Arrow ($85,220 vs $44,376, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91Β°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: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Birmingham more expensive than Broken Arrow?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.7% higher than Broken Arrow (91.644 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Broken Arrow, OK?
The driving distance is 624 mi and the route typically takes 11h 2m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Broken Arrow vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $85,220 in Broken Arrow β a 47.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Broken Arrow?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Broken Arrow to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 624 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 Birmingham compared to Broken Arrow?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $286,846 in Broken Arrow β a 52.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Broken Arrow.
City profiles: Broken Arrow, OK Β· Birmingham, AL.