Moving from Brownsville, TX to Montgomery, AL
It is 985 mi between Brownsville and Montgomery β roughly 18h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
985 mi Β· 18h 18m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 77, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 51.8" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5Β°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.46 |
Households in Montgomery earn about 4.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°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 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 Brownsville to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 985 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 Montgomery compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 14.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 22.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 985 mi and the route typically takes 18h 18m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 4.3% higher than Brownsville (89.682 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Montgomery, AL.