Moving from Knoxville, TN to Birmingham, AL
It is a 255 mi drive, roughly 4h 44m, between Knoxville, TN and Birmingham, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
255 mi Β· 4h 44m by car Β· AL β GA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 75, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.569 vs 91.644 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $369,216 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0Β°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.25 |
Households in Birmingham earn about 1.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Tennessee 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 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 household income compare in Knoxville vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 13.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 63.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 1.0% lower than Knoxville (91.644 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 255 mi and the route typically takes 4h 44m via I 59 and I 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Birmingham, AL.