Moving from Odessa, TX to Birmingham, AL
A move from Odessa, TX to Birmingham, AL covers 988 mi and around 17h 30m 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.
988 mi · 17h 30m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Birmingham and Odessa is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 2.4% below Odessa — $251,239 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4°F) and Birmingham (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: ODESSA, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 31 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 2.4% below Odessa ($73,030 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
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 39.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 45.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 988 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 64.4°F in Odessa (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 12.3 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.4% lower than Odessa (91.644 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 988 mi and the route typically takes 17h 30m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Birmingham, AL.