Moving from Birmingham, AL to Costa Mesa, CA
Cross-country relocations like Birmingham, AL β Costa Mesa, CA cover 2031 mi and about 35h 18m 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.
2031 mi Β· 35h 18m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β 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 | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 23.9% higher overall in Costa Mesa vs Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Costa Mesa: 23.9% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 11.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.9% between Birmingham and Costa Mesa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa 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
- 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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2031 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 23.9% higher than Birmingham (113.566 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 940.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2031 mi and the route typically takes 35h 18m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 148.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Costa Mesa, CA.