Moving from Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
It is 803 mi between Cleveland and Montgomery β roughly 14h 54m 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.
803 mi Β· 14h 54m by car Β· OH β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 71, I 264 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Cleveland and Montgomery sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $115,537 in Cleveland to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 4.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.6Β°F β 52.3Β°F in Cleveland vs 67.9Β°F in Montgomery, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 4.5% more than Cleveland at the median β $39,187 β $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.
Moving between Ohio 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 household income compare in Cleveland vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 42.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 30.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 803 mi and the route typically takes 14h 54m via I 65 and I 71. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 4.5% lower than Cleveland (89.682 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 803 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Montgomery, AL.