Moving from Independence, MO to Birmingham, AL
It is 682 mi between Independence and Birmingham — roughly 13h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
682 mi · 13h 30m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, MO 13 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Springfield, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Independence and Birmingham sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $208,158 in Independence to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 1.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 9.9°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA 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: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 1.0% less than Independence at the median — $59,480 → $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 Missouri 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 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 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
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 682 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 Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $208,158 in Independence — a 34.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 54.0°F in Independence (9.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 44.7 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.0% lower than Independence (91.644 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $59,480 in Independence — a 25.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 682 mi and the route typically takes 13h 30m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Birmingham, AL.