Moving from Spokane, WA to Birmingham, AL
Moving from Spokane, WA to Birmingham, AL is a 2245 mi cross-country relocation β about 40h 17m of driving through 12 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2245 mi Β· 40h 17m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls, Omaha, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham is 8.7% cheaper than Spokane overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 8.7% below Spokane β $395,325 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 56.6" |
Birmingham runs 14.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.8Β°F vs 63.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 8.7% below Spokane ($65,745 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Birmingham more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 8.7% lower than Spokane (91.644 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2245 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 65.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 2245 mi and the route typically takes 40h 17m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 12 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 Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Birmingham, AL.