Moving from South Fulton, GA to Birmingham, AL
Relocating between South Fulton, GA and Birmingham, AL is a 139 mi drive — 2h 41m 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.
139 mi · 2h 41m by car · AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, GA 92, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Fulton | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.4% cheaper overall in Birmingham than South Fulton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: South Fulton —, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | South Fulton | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Fulton | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,157 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $81,798 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.4% — $81,798 → $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 — 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.
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
How does household income compare in South Fulton vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $81,798 in South Fulton — a 45.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to South Fulton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,370 in the South Fulton 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.
When is the best time to move from South Fulton 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 139 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from South Fulton, GA?
The driving distance is 139 mi and the route typically takes 2h 41m via I 20 and GA 92. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Birmingham more expensive than South Fulton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 8.4% lower than South Fulton (91.644 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between South Fulton and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 63.6°F in South Fulton (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 2.2 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 50.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Fulton.
City profiles: South Fulton, GA · Birmingham, AL.