Moving from Huntsville, AL to Birmingham, AL
The 98 mi from Huntsville to Birmingham translate to about 1h 51m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
98 mi · 1h 51m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 565, US 72 ALTERNATE |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and Huntsville are close on the overall BEA RPP (93.072 vs 91.644); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 1.5% under Huntsville at $287,569 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 62.9°F vs 63.9°F per 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: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.5% between Huntsville and Birmingham (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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Huntsville 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 98 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 98 mi and the route typically takes 1h 51m via I 65 and I 565. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 54.3 in.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 52.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 37.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.5% lower than Huntsville (91.644 vs 93.072, 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 Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Birmingham, AL.