Moving from Tacoma, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL is a 2630 mi cross-country relocation β about 45h 44m 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.
2630 mi Β· 45h 44m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tuscaloosa come in 21.1% under Tacoma β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tuscaloosa typical home at $228,947 is 21.1% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 57.3" |
Tuscaloosa runs 10.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 64.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Tuscaloosa is 21.1% below Tacoma ($83,857 vs $48,536, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°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
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2630 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 Tacoma vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 42.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 53.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2630 mi and the route typically takes 45h 44m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 21.1% lower than Tacoma (87.722 vs 111.133, 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.