Moving from Huntsville, AL to Montgomery, AL
It is a 190 mi drive, roughly 3h 34m, between Huntsville, 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.
190 mi · 3h 34m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 565, US 72 ALTERNATE |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Huntsville and Montgomery sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $287,569 in Huntsville to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 3.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 51.8" |
Annual temperature rises 5.0°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 3.6% less than Huntsville at the median — $70,778 → $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
Is Montgomery more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 3.6% lower than Huntsville (89.682 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville 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 190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 21.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 47.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 190 mi and the route typically takes 3h 34m via I 65 and I 565. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Montgomery, AL.