Moving from Waco, TX to Birmingham, AL
It is 683 mi between Waco and Birmingham — roughly 12h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
683 mi · 12h 41m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.25 |
Households in Birmingham earn about 1.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Texas 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.
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
How does household income compare in Waco vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $51,468 in Waco — a 13.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $194,245 in Waco — a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 683 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 683 mi and the route typically takes 12h 41m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.0% lower than Waco (91.644 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 66.6°F in Waco (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 37.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Birmingham, AL.