Moving from West Jordan, UT to Tuscaloosa, AL
Cross-country relocations like West Jordan, UT β Tuscaloosa, AL cover 1842 mi and about 31h 60m of driving through 9 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.
1842 mi Β· 31h 60m by car Β· UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.868 to 87.722, putting Tuscaloosa roughly 13.0% below West Jordan on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Tuscaloosa: 13.0% below West Jordan on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 57.3" |
Climate warms by 9.8Β°F on the annual average β 54.5Β°F β 64.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.0% between West Jordan and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah 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 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-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β 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 much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 59.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 1842 mi and the route typically takes 31h 60m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 53.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 13.0% lower than West Jordan (87.722 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1842 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 West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.