Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Cape Coral, FL to Birmingham, AL runs 656 mi β about 12h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
656 mi Β· 12h 52m by car Β· FL β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 280, GA 520 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa, Lakeland, Clearwater, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 102.349 to 91.644, putting Birmingham roughly 10.5% below Cape Coral on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Birmingham: 10.5% below Cape Coral on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 56.6" |
Climate cools by 11.5Β°F on the annual average β 75.4Β°F β 63.9Β°F.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.5% between Cape Coral and Birmingham (ACS 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 Florida 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 10.5% lower than Cape Coral (91.644 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 41.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 59.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 656 mi and the route typically takes 12h 52m via I 75 and US 280. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 656 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· Birmingham, AL.