Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Birmingham, AL
The 426 mi from Jacksonville to Birmingham translate to about 8h 39m behind the wheel through 3 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.
426 mi · 8h 39m by car · FL → GA → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 280, GA 520, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Birmingham are 7.9% below Jacksonville — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 7.9% under Jacksonville at $282,895 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 56.6" |
Climate cools by 7.5°F on the annual average — 71.4°F → 63.9°F.
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: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.9% between Jacksonville 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.
Moving between Florida 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.
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
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (7.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 47.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 52.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 426 mi and the route typically takes 8h 39m via US 280 and GA 520. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 426 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 7.9% lower than Jacksonville (91.644 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Birmingham, AL.