Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Birmingham, AL
It is 753 mi between Milwaukee and Birmingham — roughly 14h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
753 mi · 14h 11m by car · WI → IL → IN → KY → TN → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → IN → KY → TN → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 94, US 41 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Chicago, Murfreesboro, Huntsville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.5% cheaper overall in Birmingham than Milwaukee on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.6°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.25 |
Households in Birmingham earn about 5.5% less at the median — 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 Wisconsin 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.6°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
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 753 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 38.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 753 mi and the route typically takes 14h 11m via I 65 and I 94. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 5.5% lower than Milwaukee (91.644 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (15.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 33.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Birmingham, AL.