Moving from West Covina, CA to Birmingham, AL
A 2009 mi cross-country move between West Covina and Birmingham is 34h 48m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2009 mi · 34h 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, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| 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
| West Covina | 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 West Covina 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 $852,373 in West Covina to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 19.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°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: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 19.3% less than West Covina at the median — $98,570 → $44,376 on ACS 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
Is Birmingham more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 19.3% lower than West Covina (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 West Covina 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 2009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 55.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 84.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina 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 far is Birmingham, AL from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 34h 48m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Birmingham, AL.