Moving from Cary, NC to Birmingham, AL
Relocating 545 mi from Cary to Birmingham is a 10h 25m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
545 mi · 10h 25m by car · AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Charlotte, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Cary at 98.157.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $626,396 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Cary (60.1°F) and Birmingham (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.6% — $129,399 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 North Carolina 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 — 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 Birmingham average 91°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 — 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 far is Birmingham, AL from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 545 mi and the route typically takes 10h 25m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $129,399 in Cary — a 65.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 545 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 6.6% lower than Cary (91.644 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 60.1°F in Cary (3.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 48.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $626,396 in Cary — a 78.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 702,580 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Birmingham, AL.