Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Birmingham, AL
A move from St. Petersburg, FL to Birmingham, AL covers 559 mi and around 11h 6m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
559 mi · 11h 6m by car · FL → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 280, GA 520 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Tampa, Lakeland, Gainesville, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Petersburg | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Birmingham are 9.2% below St. Petersburg — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg —, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 54°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 56.6" |
Birmingham is 10.6°F cooler on the annual average (74.5°F vs 63.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 9.2% below St. Petersburg ($73,118 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 Florida 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.6°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg 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 559 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between St. Petersburg and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 74.5°F in St. Petersburg (10.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 52.5 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 559 mi and the route typically takes 11h 6m via I 75 and US 280. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg — a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Birmingham more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 9.2% lower than St. Petersburg (91.644 vs 100.89, 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 St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL · Birmingham, AL.