Moving from West Jordan, UT to Birmingham, AL
Cross-country relocations like West Jordan, UT β Birmingham, AL cover 1848 mi and about 31h 52m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1848 mi Β· 31h 52m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham is 9.1% cheaper than West Jordan overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 9.1% below West Jordan β $561,836 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 56.6" |
Climate warms by 9.4Β°F on the annual average β 54.5Β°F β 63.9Β°F.
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: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.1% between West Jordan and Birmingham (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 Utah 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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 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 West Jordan to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1848 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 Birmingham compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 9.1% lower than West Jordan (91.644 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 1848 mi and the route typically takes 31h 52m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 57.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 75.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Birmingham, AL.