Moving from Montgomery, AL to Anaheim, CA
It is 2060 mi and 36h 15m from Montgomery to Anaheim β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2060 mi Β· 36h 15m 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 | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Anaheim is 26.6% above Montgomery β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
26.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.26 |
Expect median household income to rise 26.6% β $55,687 β $90,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Anaheim, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2060 mi and the route typically takes 36h 15m 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 Montgomery to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2060 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 528.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 62.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 26.6% higher than Montgomery (113.566 vs 89.682, 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 Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Anaheim, CA.