Moving from Montgomery, AL to San Jose, CA
Cross-country relocations like Montgomery, AL β San Jose, CA cover 2370 mi and about 41h 38m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2370 mi Β· 41h 38m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 23.1% pricier overall price level β 89.682 β 110.423 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Jose typical home at $1,463,614 is 23.1% above Montgomery at $151,228 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 16.1" |
Climate cools by 6.4Β°F on the annual average β 67.9Β°F β 61.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.03 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.1% between Montgomery and San Jose (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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.
- 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
- 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 does household income compare in Montgomery vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 154.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 867.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Jose more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 23.1% higher than Montgomery (110.423 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Jose, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2370 mi and the route typically takes 41h 38m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2370 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 San Jose compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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· San Jose, CA.