Moving from Long Beach, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 2028 mi and 35h 25m from Long Beach to Tuscaloosa β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2028 mi Β· 35h 25m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Long Beach to 87.722 in Tuscaloosa, a 22.8% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $857,861 to $228,947 moving to Tuscaloosa.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 57.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Long Beach (64.9Β°F) and Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.8% β $83,969 β $48,536 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2028 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2028 mi and the route typically takes 35h 25m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 73.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 22.8% lower than Long Beach (87.722 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 42.2% 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 Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.