Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Birmingham, AL
Cross-country relocations like Scottsdale, AZ β Birmingham, AL cover 1649 mi and about 29h 19m of driving through 8 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.
1649 mi Β· 29h 19m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Birmingham are 11.3% below Scottsdale β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 11.3% under Scottsdale at $858,022 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 56.6" |
Climate cools by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 69.6Β°F β 63.9Β°F.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.3% between Scottsdale 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 Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 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.
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 1649 mi and the route typically takes 29h 19m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 58.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 84.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1649 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 11.3% lower than Scottsdale (91.644 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,289,130 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 Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Birmingham, AL.