Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Beaumont, TX
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Beaumont, TX runs 535 mi β about 9h 50m 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.
535 mi Β· 9h 50m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Beaumont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 90.046 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 83.098 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 70.939 | 100.0 |
Beaumont and Tuscaloosa are close on the overall BEA RPP (87.722 vs 90.046); 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: Beaumont typical home at $166,671 is 2.6% under Tuscaloosa at $228,947 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Beaumont +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 65.1" |
Climate warms by 5.2Β°F on the annual average β 64.3Β°F β 69.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Beaumont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, BEAUMONT CITY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 113,710 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $57,530 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.53 |
Income steps up 2.6%: $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $57,530 in Beaumont.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Beaumont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,280 | $38,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,980 | $27,000 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 13,530 | $50,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,850 | $37,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,740 | $31,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Beaumont 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: Beaumont averages 65.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Beaumont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,530 in Beaumont vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 18.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Beaumont, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 535 mi and the route typically takes 9h 50m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Beaumont compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $166,671 in Beaumont vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Beaumont compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 155,500 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Beaumont more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Beaumont is 2.6% higher than Tuscaloosa (90.046 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Beaumont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 535 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Beaumont, TX.