Moving from Birmingham, AL to Port St. Lucie, FL
It is 635 mi between Birmingham and Port St. Lucie β roughly 12h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
635 mi Β· 12h 23m by car Β· FL β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 280, GA 520 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 58.9" |
Annual temperature rises 11.3Β°F moving to Port St. Lucie per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.78 |
Port St. Lucie households earn about 9.4% more than Birmingham at the median β $44,376 β $78,137 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Port St. Lucie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,870 | $39,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,390 | $29,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 17,270 | $33,620 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,330 | $36,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,650 | $72,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 9.4% higher than Birmingham (100.228 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 635 mi and the route typically takes 12h 23m via I 75 and US 280. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 76.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 635 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.