Moving from Montgomery, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Relocating between Montgomery, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL is a 109 mi drive — 2h 26m 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.
109 mi · 2h 26m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, AL 14, I 65 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Montgomery and Tuscaloosa 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $151,228 in Montgomery to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 67.9°F vs 64.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.2% lower in Tuscaloosa than Montgomery.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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 Tuscaloosa average 92°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 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 Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $55,687 in Montgomery — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 2.2% lower than Montgomery (87.722 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 109 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 109 mi and the route typically takes 2h 26m via US 82 and AL 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $151,228 in Montgomery — a 51.4% higher 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 · Tuscaloosa, AL.