Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
It is 729 mi between Virginia Beach and Birmingham — roughly 14h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
729 mi · 14h 5m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, US 58 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.4% moving from Virginia Beach to Birmingham — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $427,032 in Virginia Beach to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 6.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.8°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 6.4% less than Virginia Beach at the median — $90,685 → $44,376 on 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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 6.4% lower than Virginia Beach (91.644 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 729 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 51.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 68.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 729 mi and the route typically takes 14h 5m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Birmingham, AL.