Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Birmingham, AL
Relocating between Sandy Springs, GA and Birmingham, AL is a 155 mi drive β 2h 58m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
155 mi Β· 2h 58m by car Β· AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 285, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs Sandy Springs at 100.058.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $691,063 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Sandy Springs (61.5Β°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: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.4% β $101,593 β $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 Georgia 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 Sandy Springs to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 155 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 Sandy Springs vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 56.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 80.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 8.4% lower than Sandy Springs (91.644 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 155 mi and the route typically takes 2h 58m via I 20 and I 285. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Birmingham, AL.