Moving from Surprise, AZ to Birmingham, AL
A 1706 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Birmingham is 29h 33m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1706 mi · 29h 33m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.3% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.3°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 11.3% less than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $44,376 on 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 — 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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 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 Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1706 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Surprise 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 1706 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 11.3% lower than Surprise (91.644 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 52.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 70.2°F in Surprise (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 67.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise 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 Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Birmingham, AL.