Moving from Richmond, CA to Birmingham, AL
It is 2327 mi and 40h 48m from Richmond to Birmingham — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2327 mi · 40h 48m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham sits 20.7% cheaper than Richmond on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $606,427 in Richmond to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 20.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 56.6" |
Expect 5.1°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: RICHMOND, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.7% — $90,038 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Richmond and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 58.8°F in Richmond (5.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 24.4 in.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 20.7% lower than Richmond (91.644 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2327 mi and the route typically takes 40h 48m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 77.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 50.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 2327 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Birmingham, AL.