Moving from Kent, WA to Birmingham, AL
A 2619 mi cross-country move between Kent and Birmingham is 45h 18m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2619 mi Β· 45h 18m 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
| Kent | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.5% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Kent on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 10.1Β°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 17.5% less than Kent at the median β $90,416 β $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 Washington 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1Β°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
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $656,314 in Kent β a 79.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2619 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 17.5% lower than Kent (91.644 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $90,416 in Kent β a 50.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2619 mi and the route typically takes 45h 18m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,079,090 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Birmingham, AL.