Moving from Hampton, VA to Birmingham, AL
It is 727 mi between Hampton and Birmingham — roughly 14h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
727 mi · 14h 4m by car · AL → GA → SC → NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA → SC → NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, US 58 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Charlotte, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.4% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Hampton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 6.4% less than Hampton at the median — $67,758 → $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 Virginia 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 50.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 727 mi and the route typically takes 14h 4m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 59.8°F in Hampton (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 47.8 in.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hampton 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 727 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 6.4% lower than Hampton (91.644 vs 97.941, 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Birmingham, AL.