Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Birmingham, AL
Relocating 729 mi from Miami Gardens to Birmingham is a 14h 11m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
729 mi Β· 14h 11m by car Β· AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 280, I 75, GA 520 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.7% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Miami Gardens on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 56.6" |
Expect 12.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.7% β $60,979 β $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Birmingham more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 19.7% lower than Miami Gardens (91.644 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 729 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 27.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 71.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 729 mi and the route typically takes 14h 11m via US 280 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 Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Birmingham, AL.