Moving from Montgomery, AL to South Fulton, GA
Moving from Montgomery, AL to South Fulton, GA covers 147 mi and about 2h 48m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
147 mi Β· 2h 48m by car Β· AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, GA 92, GA 74 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.682 in Montgomery to 100.058 in South Fulton, a 11.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, South Fulton β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: South Fulton gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.76 |
Median household income in South Fulton is 11.6% above Montgomery ($55,687 vs $81,798, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in South Fulton average 90Β°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: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 46.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is South Fulton more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 11.6% higher than Montgomery (100.058 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is South Fulton, GA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 147 mi and the route typically takes 2h 48m via I 85 and GA 92. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 147 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 South Fulton compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 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· South Fulton, GA.