Moving from Garland, TX to Montgomery, AL
It is 647 mi between Garland and Montgomery β roughly 12h 5m 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.
647 mi Β· 12h 5m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.0% cheaper overall in Montgomery than Garland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 51.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 13.0% less than Garland at the median β $74,717 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 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 Garland to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 647 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $286,805 in Garland β a 47.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 13.0% lower than Garland (89.682 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 647 mi and the route typically takes 12h 5m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $74,717 in Garland β a 25.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Montgomery, AL.