Moving from Provo, UT to Birmingham, AL
Cross-country relocations like Provo, UT → Birmingham, AL cover 1808 mi and about 31h 55m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1808 mi · 31h 55m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Birmingham are 6.7% below Provo — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Birmingham typical home at $135,870 is 6.7% under Provo at $484,203 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 56.6" |
Climate warms by 9.3°F on the annual average — 54.6°F → 63.9°F.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.7% between Provo and Birmingham (ACS 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 Utah 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Provo and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 54.6°F in Provo (9.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 17.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 1808 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1808 mi and the route typically takes 31h 55m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $484,203 in Provo — a 71.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $62,800 in Provo — a 29.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 6.7% lower than Provo (91.644 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Birmingham, AL.