Moving from San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL runs 865 mi — about 15h 44m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
865 mi · 15h 44m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and San Antonio are close on the overall BEA RPP (94.716 vs 91.644); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 3.2% under San Antonio at $249,810 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 56.6" |
Climate cools by 5.1°F on the annual average — 69.0°F → 63.9°F.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.2% between San Antonio 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 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 far is Birmingham, AL from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 865 mi and the route typically takes 15h 44m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 45.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 29.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 34.0 in.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 865 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 3.2% lower than San Antonio (91.644 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Birmingham, AL.