Moving from Independence, MO to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 677 mi between Independence and Tuscaloosa β roughly 13h 41m 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.
677 mi Β· 13h 41m by car Β· MO β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 63, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.2% cheaper overall in Tuscaloosa than Independence on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.2% above Independence β $208,158 β $228,947 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Independence | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 10.3Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.68 |
Households in Tuscaloosa earn about 5.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3Β°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 Tuscaloosa more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 5.2% lower than Independence (87.722 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $59,480 in Independence β a 18.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 677 mi and the route typically takes 13h 41m via US 78 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Independence to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 677 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $208,158 in Independence β a 10.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.