Moving from Portland, OR to Birmingham, AL
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR → Birmingham, AL cover 2561 mi and about 43h 59m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2561 mi · 43h 59m by car · OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | 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 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 91.644, putting Birmingham roughly 13.1% below Portland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Birmingham: 13.1% below Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 56.6" |
Climate warms by 9.1°F on the annual average — 54.8°F → 63.9°F.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.1% between Portland and Birmingham (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 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 — 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
- 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 — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
How far is Birmingham, AL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2561 mi and the route typically takes 43h 59m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $534,638 in Portland — a 74.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland 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.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 54.8°F in Portland (9.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 44.1 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 13.1% lower than Portland (91.644 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $88,792 in Portland — a 50.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Portland 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 2561 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Birmingham, AL.