Moving from Montgomery, AL to Tempe, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Montgomery, AL β Tempe, AZ cover 1706 mi and about 29h 56m of driving through 6 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.
1706 mi Β· 29h 56m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tempe is 15.2% higher than Montgomery, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tempe is 15.2% above Montgomery β $151,228 vs $468,281 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Montgomery (67.9Β°F) and Tempe (71.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.2% between Montgomery and Tempe (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1706 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 209.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 39.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 1706 mi and the route typically takes 29h 56m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 15.2% higher than Montgomery (103.316 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· Tempe, AZ.