Moving from Gresham, OR to Birmingham, AL
It is 2550 mi and 43h 51m from Gresham to Birmingham β a cross-country move across 12 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2550 mi Β· 43h 51m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.1% moving from Gresham to Birmingham β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $471,181 in Gresham to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 13.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 56.6" |
Expect 9.2Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.1% β $73,608 β $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 Oregon 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 does the job market in Birmingham compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 39.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2550 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 Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 2550 mi and the route typically takes 43h 51m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 71.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 13.1% lower than Gresham (91.644 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Birmingham, AL.