Moving from West Valley City, UT to Birmingham, AL
It is 1844 mi and 31h 45m from West Valley City 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.
1844 mi · 31h 45m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → 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 Valley City | 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 |
Expect about 9.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Birmingham at 91.644 vs West Valley City at 100.868.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $471,862 to $135,870 moving to Birmingham.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Valley City | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 56.6" |
Expect 9.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.1% — $88,604 → $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 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 — 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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 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 the job market in Birmingham compare to West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $88,604 in West Valley City — a 49.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $471,862 in West Valley City — a 71.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Valley City 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 1844 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 9.1% lower than West Valley City (91.644 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between West Valley City and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 54.7°F in West Valley City (9.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 51.9 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 15.5 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 1844 mi and the route typically takes 31h 45m via I 70 and US 40. 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 Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT · Birmingham, AL.