Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Norman, OK
A move from Tuscaloosa, AL to Norman, OK covers 698 mi and around 12h 50m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
698 mi Β· 12h 50m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Norman and Tuscaloosa is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norman is 3.1% above Tuscaloosa ($262,839 vs $228,947 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 37.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) and Norman (60.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norman averages 4.1 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: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Norman is 3.1% above Tuscaloosa ($48,536 vs $65,060, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
Winter driving along this route
- 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 Norman average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 14.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norman more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 3.1% higher than Tuscaloosa (90.408 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 698 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Norman, OK from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 698 mi and the route typically takes 12h 50m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 34.0% higher 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Norman, OK.