Moving from Birmingham, AL to Mesa, AZ
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Mesa, AZ is a 1650 mi cross-country relocation β about 29h 14m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1650 mi Β· 29h 14m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.7% pricier overall in Mesa than Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mesa typical home at $435,134 is 12.7% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Mesa -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 10.8" |
Mesa runs 8.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (63.9Β°F vs 72.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, E MESA, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 507,478 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $78,779 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Mesa is 12.7% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $78,779, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 Mesa average 106Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Mesa sees only 10.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1650 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Mesa compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $435,134 in Mesa vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 220.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,779 in Mesa vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 77.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Mesa, AZ from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 1650 mi and the route typically takes 29h 14m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mesa compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Mesa MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Mesa more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesa is 12.7% higher than Birmingham (103.316 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Mesa, AZ.