Moving from Tulsa, OK to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Tulsa, OK to Birmingham, AL runs 631 mi — about 11h 8m 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.
631 mi · 11h 8m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Birmingham and Tulsa is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 2.7% below Tulsa — $217,450 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Tulsa (61.3°F) and Birmingham (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.7% between Tulsa and Birmingham (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 Oklahoma 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.
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
Is Birmingham more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.7% higher than Tulsa (91.644 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa 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 631 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 37.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 41.0 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 631 mi and the route typically takes 11h 8m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 24.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 443,020 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 Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Birmingham, AL.