Moving from Norman, OK to Tuscaloosa, AL
A move from Norman, OK to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 698 mi and around 12h 50m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
698 mi Β· 12h 50m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Tuscaloosa and Norman are close on the overall BEA RPP (90.408 vs 87.722); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 3.0% lower in Tuscaloosa than Norman as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norman | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 64.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Tuscaloosa is 3.0% below Norman ($65,060 vs $48,536, ACS 5-year 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 Oklahoma 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 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
How does household income compare in Norman vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $65,060 in Norman β a 25.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 698 mi and the route typically takes 12h 50m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 3.0% lower than Norman (87.722 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 698 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $262,839 in Norman β a 12.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.