Moving from Montgomery, AL to Birmingham, AL
Relocating between Montgomery, AL and Birmingham, AL is a 95 mi drive — 1h 51m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
95 mi · 1h 51m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 85 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Montgomery and Birmingham 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
Homes in Birmingham run about 2.2% cheaper — ZHVI $151,228 → $135,870 (2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Montgomery | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 67.9°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.2% — $55,687 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
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 Birmingham average 91°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: Birmingham averages 56.6 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
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $55,687 in Montgomery — a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 95 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 2.2% higher than Montgomery (91.644 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 1h 51m via I 65 and I 85. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $151,228 in Montgomery — a 10.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL · Birmingham, AL.