Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Montgomery, AL is a 2098 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 55m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2098 mi Β· 36h 55m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | 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 |
Overall prices in Montgomery come in 21.0% under Los Angeles β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 21.0% under Los Angeles at $952,183 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 51.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.8Β°F vs 67.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 21.0% below Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $55,687, 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
Is Montgomery more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.0% lower than Los Angeles (89.682 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 30.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 84.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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 far is Montgomery, AL from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2098 mi and the route typically takes 36h 55m 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 Los Angeles to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2098 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.