Moving from Birmingham, AL to Norman, OK
A move from Birmingham, AL to Norman, OK covers 704 mi and around 12h 40m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
704 mi · 12h 40m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, OK 9 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Norman and Birmingham are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.644 vs 90.408); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Norman typical home at $262,839 is 1.3% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 37.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.9°F vs 60.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 4.1 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Norman is 1.3% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $65,060, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Norman, OK from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 704 mi and the route typically takes 12h 40m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 46.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 704 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 93.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Norman more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 1.3% lower than Birmingham (90.408 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 · Norman, OK.