Moving from Eugene, OR to Birmingham, AL
It is 2610 mi and 45h 53m from Eugene to Birmingham β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2610 mi Β· 45h 53m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Eugene | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.568 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 102.531 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.35 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Eugene at 101.568.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $473,231 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Eugene -0.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Eugene | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 56.6" |
Expect 10.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Eugene | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $63,836 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.8% β $63,836 β $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 Oregon 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 (10.8Β°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 Eugene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 9.8% lower than Eugene (91.644 vs 101.568, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Eugene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $473,231 in Eugene β a 71.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Eugene, OR?
The driving distance is 2610 mi and the route typically takes 45h 53m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Eugene vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $63,836 in Eugene β a 30.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Eugene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,620 in the Eugene MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 155,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Eugene to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2610 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Eugene.
City profiles: Eugene, OR Β· Birmingham, AL.