Moving from Round Rock, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 712 mi between Round Rock and Tuscaloosa — roughly 13h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
712 mi · 13h 11m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, TX 31 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Killeen, Waco, Tyler, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.5% moving from Round Rock to Tuscaloosa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $407,077 in Round Rock to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 10.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 10.5% less than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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 Tuscaloosa average 92°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 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 much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 43.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 712 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 712 mi and the route typically takes 13h 11m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 10.5% lower than Round Rock (87.722 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 50.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 1,235,440 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Tuscaloosa, AL.