Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Birmingham, AL
A 2019 mi cross-country move between Carlsbad and Birmingham is 35h 9m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2019 mi Β· 35h 9m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Carlsbad at 111.887.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,370,649 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Carlsbad (62.5Β°F) and Birmingham (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 18.1% less than Carlsbad at the median β $139,326 β $44,376 on 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 California 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
- 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 90.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 2019 mi and the route typically takes 35h 9m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 18.1% lower than Carlsbad (91.644 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 68.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Birmingham, AL.