Moving from Birmingham, AL to Orange, CA
It is 2024 mi and 35h 6m from Birmingham to Orange — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2024 mi · 35h 6m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Orange | 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 |
Orange is 23.9% more expensive than Birmingham on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $1,143,788 in Orange, a 23.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Orange +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.9°F vs 66.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orange sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 138,723 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $116,945 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 3.09 |
Expect median household income to rise 23.9% — $44,376 → $116,945 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orange 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 — 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.
- 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: Orange sees only 12.5 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 — 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
How much do homes cost in Orange compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,143,788 in Orange vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 741.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Orange?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $116,945 in Orange vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 163.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Orange?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Orange vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 56.6 in.
Is Orange more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orange 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 far is Orange, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2024 mi and the route typically takes 35h 6m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Orange compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Orange 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.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Orange?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2024 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Orange, CA.