Moving from El Paso, TX to Birmingham, AL
A move from El Paso, TX to Birmingham, AL covers 1275 mi and around 22h 9m of driving through 4 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.
1275 mi · 22h 9m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and El Paso are close on the overall BEA RPP (89.912 vs 91.644); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 1.9% under El Paso at $234,775 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.2°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 1.9% below El Paso ($58,734 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 Texas 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.
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
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 66.2°F in El Paso (2.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 8.8 in.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 1275 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 42.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1275 mi and the route typically takes 22h 9m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.9% higher than El Paso (91.644 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 24.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 323,310 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Birmingham, AL.