Moving from Birmingham, AL to Montgomery, AL
It is a 95 mi drive, roughly 1h 51m, between Birmingham, AL and Montgomery, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
95 mi · 1h 51m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 85 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.644 vs 89.682 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9°F) and Montgomery (67.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 2.1% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $55,687 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Montgomery average 94°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: Montgomery averages 51.8 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 2.1% lower than Birmingham (89.682 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 25.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 1h 51m via I 65 and I 85. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 95 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Montgomery, AL.