Moving from Birmingham, AL to Clovis, CA
It is 2156 mi and 37h 41m from Birmingham to Clovis — a cross-country move across 9 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.
2156 mi · 37h 41m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Clovis runs about 11.5% more expensive overall than Birmingham — RPP 91.644 → 102.158.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $521,708 in Clovis, a 11.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.9°F vs 65.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.99 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.5% — $44,376 → $100,360 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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 — 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clovis average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 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 — 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
Is Clovis more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 11.5% higher than Birmingham (102.158 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 284.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2156 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 56.6 in.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 126.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clovis, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2156 mi and the route typically takes 37h 41m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Clovis, CA.