Moving from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL runs 518 mi β about 10h 13m 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.
518 mi Β· 10h 13m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, I 555 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and Springfield are close on the overall BEA RPP (88.585 vs 91.644); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 3.5% under Springfield at $242,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 56.6" |
Climate warms by 7.5Β°F on the annual average β 56.4Β°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: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.25 |
Household income lines up β $45,984 vs $44,376 on 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 Missouri 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-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
Is Birmingham more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 3.5% higher than Springfield (91.644 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 518 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 44.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 518 mi and the route typically takes 10h 13m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Birmingham, AL.