Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Birmingham, AL
It is 957 mi between Jersey City and Birmingham — roughly 17h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 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.
957 mi · 17h 53m by car · NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 52, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Jersey City at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $658,269 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 9.1°F moving to Birmingham per 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: HARRISON, NJ US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 18.6% less than Jersey City at the median — $94,813 → $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 New Jersey 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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 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 Jersey City and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (9.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 18.6% lower than Jersey City (91.644 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 53.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City 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 957 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 Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 79.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 957 mi and the route typically takes 17h 53m via I 81 and US 52. The trip crosses 8 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 Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Birmingham, AL.