Moving from Little Rock, AR to Montgomery, AL
It is a 469 mi drive, roughly 8h 40m, between Little Rock, AR and Montgomery, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
469 mi Β· 8h 40m by car Β· AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, I 40, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 89.364 vs 89.682 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $151,228 moving to Montgomery.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 51.8" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2Β°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.46 |
Households in Montgomery earn about 0.4% less 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 Arkansas 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-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.
- 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 the job market in Montgomery compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 469 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 469 mi and the route typically takes 8h 40m via US 78 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 8.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 30.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 0.4% higher than Little Rock (89.682 vs 89.364, 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Montgomery, AL.