Moving from Elgin, IL to Birmingham, AL
Relocating 698 mi from Elgin to Birmingham is a 13h 15m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
698 mi · 13h 15m by car · AL → TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 294, US 20 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.5% moving from Elgin to Birmingham — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $329,682 in Elgin to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 11.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 56.6" |
Expect 14.9°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.5% — $88,316 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Illinois 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 — 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.
- 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9°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
Is Birmingham more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 11.5% lower than Elgin (91.644 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 58.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 698 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 49.0°F in Elgin (14.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 39.9 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 698 mi and the route typically takes 13h 15m via I 65 and I 294. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 49.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Birmingham, AL.