Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Birmingham, AL
It is 951 mi between Elizabeth and Birmingham — roughly 17h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 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.
951 mi · 17h 50m by car · AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 11, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Knoxville, Allentown, Paterson, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Elizabeth at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,667 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 8.4°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 18.6% less than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $44,376 on ACS 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 New Jersey 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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.
- 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 far is Birmingham, AL from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 951 mi and the route typically takes 17h 50m via I 81 and US 11. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (8.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 46.6 in.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 30.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 74.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 18.6% lower than Elizabeth (91.644 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 951 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Birmingham, AL.