Moving from Downey, CA to Montgomery, AL
Cross-country relocations like Downey, CA β Montgomery, AL cover 2084 mi and about 36h 40m of driving through 7 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.
2084 mi Β· 36h 40m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Montgomery is 21.0% lower than Downey β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Montgomery: 21.0% below Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 51.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 37 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 21.0% between Downey and Montgomery (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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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 Downey vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $87,400 in Downey β a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.0% lower than Downey (89.682 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $888,710 in Downey β a 83.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 2084 mi and the route typically takes 36h 40m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2084 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.