Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Birmingham, AL
A move from Cedar Rapids, IA to Birmingham, AL covers 781 mi and around 14h 43m of driving through 6 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.
781 mi Β· 14h 43m by car Β· AL β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 61, I 65, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Birmingham and Cedar Rapids is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 3.0% below Cedar Rapids β $204,112 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 56.6" |
Birmingham runs 15.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.3Β°F vs 63.9Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 3.0% below Cedar Rapids ($67,859 vs $44,376, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 Birmingham average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 781 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 33.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 781 mi and the route typically takes 14h 43m via US 61 and I 65. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 3.0% higher than Cedar Rapids (91.644 vs 88.963, 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 Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Birmingham, AL.