Moving from Birmingham, AL to Mobile, AL
The 261 mi from Birmingham to Mobile translate to about 4h 51m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
261 mi · 4h 51m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Mobile and Birmingham is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Mobile is 3.9% above Birmingham — $135,870 vs $194,564 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 60.5" |
Climate warms by 5.2°F on the annual average — 63.9°F → 69.1°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.39 |
Income steps up 3.9%: $44,376 in Birmingham vs $51,090 in Mobile.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Mobile average 92°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: Mobile averages 60.5 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 261 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Mobile, AL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 261 mi and the route typically takes 4h 51m via I 65. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Mobile more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 3.9% lower than Birmingham (88.098 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 15.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 43.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Mobile, AL.