Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Glendale, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Tuscaloosa, AL β Glendale, AZ cover 1664 mi and about 28h 53m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1664 mi Β· 28h 53m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Surprise, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.8% pricier overall in Glendale than Tuscaloosa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Glendale typical home at $407,332 is 17.8% above Tuscaloosa at $228,947 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 8.3" |
Climate warms by 7.6Β°F on the annual average β 64.3Β°F β 71.9Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Glendale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 17.8% between Tuscaloosa and Glendale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Glendale average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 44.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 1664 mi and the route typically takes 28h 53m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 77.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1664 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Glendale more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 17.8% higher than Tuscaloosa (103.316 vs 87.722, 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Glendale, AZ.