Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Birmingham, AL
A 2035 mi cross-country move between Huntington Beach and Birmingham is 35h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2035 mi Β· 35h 24m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.3% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Huntington Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 19.3% less than Huntington Beach at the median β $119,885 β $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 California 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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 Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 90.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 63.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2035 mi and the route typically takes 35h 24m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 19.3% lower than Huntington Beach (91.644 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2035 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Birmingham, AL.