Moving from Richardson, TX to Birmingham, AL
The drive from Richardson, TX to Birmingham, AL runs 645 mi β about 11h 40m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
645 mi Β· 11h 40m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham is 11.1% cheaper than Richardson overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 11.1% below Richardson β $440,400 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Birmingham (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.1% between Richardson 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 Texas 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
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 645 mi and the route typically takes 11h 40m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 11.1% lower than Richardson (91.644 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 69.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 645 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 Richardson vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 53.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Birmingham, AL.