Moving from Cleveland, OH to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Cleveland, OH to Birmingham, AL runs 711 mi β about 13h 11m 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.
711 mi Β· 13h 11m by car Β· OH β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 71, I 264 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Birmingham and Cleveland is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 2.4% above Cleveland ($135,870 vs $115,537 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 56.6" |
Climate warms by 11.6Β°F on the annual average β 52.3Β°F β 63.9Β°F.
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: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.25 |
Income steps up 2.4%: $39,187 in Cleveland vs $44,376 in Birmingham.
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 Ohio 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.4% lower than Cleveland (91.644 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 17.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 711 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 711 mi and the route typically takes 13h 11m via I 65 and I 71. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 13.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Birmingham, AL.