Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Birmingham, AL
It is 2028 mi and 35h 10m from Santa Ana 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.
2028 mi · 35h 10m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.3% moving from Santa Ana to Birmingham — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $866,066 in Santa Ana to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 19.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 63.9°F per 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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.3% — $88,354 → $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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter 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 Santa Ana and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 12.5 in.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 84.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2028 mi and the route typically takes 35h 10m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 49.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 19.3% lower than Santa Ana (91.644 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana 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 2028 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Birmingham, AL.