Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Inglewood, CA
It is 2038 mi and 35h 34m from Tuscaloosa to Inglewood β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2038 mi Β· 35h 34m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 87.722 in Tuscaloosa to 113.566 in Inglewood, putting overall prices 29.5% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 29.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $228,947 to $763,568 moving to Inglewood.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 11.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) and Inglewood (64.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.93 |
Expect median household income to rise 29.5% β $48,536 β $71,029 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 46.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 233.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 2038 mi and the route typically takes 35h 34m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2038 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 29.5% higher than Tuscaloosa (113.566 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· Inglewood, CA.