Moving from Birmingham, AL to Oklahoma City, OK
It is 702 mi between Birmingham and Oklahoma City — roughly 12h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
702 mi · 12h 22m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Oklahoma City | 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 |
Birmingham and Oklahoma City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $206,713 in Oklahoma City, a 1.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 36.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.9°F vs 60.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 6.7 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, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.5 |
Oklahoma City households earn about 1.3% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $66,702 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City 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
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (3.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 56.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 702 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City 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.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 702 mi and the route typically takes 12h 22m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 50.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 52.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City 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 · Oklahoma City, OK.