Moving from Birmingham, AL to Peoria, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Birmingham, AL → Peoria, AZ cover 1695 mi and about 29h 19m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1695 mi · 29h 19m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Peoria | 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 Peoria than Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $488,596 is 12.7% above Birmingham at $135,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 9.6" |
Climate warms by 6.3°F on the annual average — 63.9°F → 70.2°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Peoria sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.7% between Birmingham and Peoria (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria 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 — 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 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
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 110.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 12.7% higher than Birmingham (103.316 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 1695 mi and the route typically takes 29h 19m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (6.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 56.6 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria 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.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 259.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1695 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 · Peoria, AZ.