Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Birmingham, AL
A move from Palm Bay, FL to Birmingham, AL covers 585 mi and around 11h 48m of driving through 3 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.
585 mi Β· 11h 48m 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 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Birmingham are 8.4% below Palm Bay β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 8.4% under Palm Bay at $302,461 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 56.6" |
Birmingham is 8.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.6Β°F vs 63.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.25 |
Median household income in Birmingham is 8.4% below Palm Bay ($67,521 vs $44,376, 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 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.
- 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 Palm Bay to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 585 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 8.4% lower than Palm Bay (91.644 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 34.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 585 mi and the route typically takes 11h 48m via US 280 and I 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Birmingham, AL.