Moving from Montgomery, AL to Port St. Lucie, FL
The drive from Montgomery, AL to Port St. Lucie, FL runs 573 mi β about 10h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
573 mi Β· 10h 52m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Port St. Lucie is 11.8% higher than Montgomery, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 58.9" |
Climate warms by 7.3Β°F on the annual average β 67.9Β°F β 75.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.78 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.8% between Montgomery and Port St. Lucie (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Port St. Lucie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,870 | $39,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,390 | $29,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 17,270 | $33,620 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,330 | $36,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,650 | $72,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 40.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 573 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 573 mi and the route typically takes 10h 52m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 11.8% higher than Montgomery (100.228 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.