Moving from Omaha, NE to Montgomery, AL

It is 967 mi between Omaha and Montgomery β€” roughly 18h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.

967 mi Β· 18h 41m by car Β· NE β†’ IA β†’ MO β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ MS β†’ AL

COL -2.4% Home values -48.6% Ξ” +16.6Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
967 mi
Drive time
18h 41m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
39 gal
Route throughNE β†’ IA β†’ MO β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ MS β†’ AL
Primary highwaysUS 78, US 63, I 29
Major cities en routeKansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

OmahaMontgomeryU.S. avg
All items (RPP)91.91189.682100.0
Rents76.37884.907100.0
Goods94.06396.397100.0
Services86.40464.347100.0

No material COL gap at the headline level β€” BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Omaha β€” typical home
$294,189
Montgomery β€” typical home
$151,228
Omaha β€” typical rent
$1,431/mo
Montgomery β€” typical rent
$1,301/mo

2.4% drop on the typical home value β€” a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.

YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsOmahaMontgomery
Annual avg temperature51Β°F68Β°F
January avg low15Β°F40Β°F
July avg high85Β°F94Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitationβ€”51.8"

Annual average temperature gap of 16.6Β°F β€” a meaningful climate change across the move.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023OmahaMontgomery
Population488,197198,440
Median household income$72,708$55,687
Median age35.336.2
Bachelor's degree or higher25.6%19.4%
Avg household size2.442.46

Montgomery households earn about 2.4% less than Omaha at the median β€” $72,708 β†’ $55,687 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Omaha MSA β€” median wage
$47,580
Montgomery MSA β€” median wage
$40,220
Omaha MSA β€” employment
483,970
Montgomery MSA β€” employment
160,840

Top occupations in Montgomery MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 20,200 $37,110
Production Occupations 16,130 $39,630
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 15,580 $35,980
Sales and Related Occupations 14,470 $30,040
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 14,170 $24,070

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Nebraska and Alabama

Nebraska income tax
5.2% top marginal
Alabama income tax
5% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 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.

Winter driving along this route

  • 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

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°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: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β€” waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
  • You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
  • 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.
  • Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

Is Montgomery more expensive than Omaha?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 2.4% lower than Omaha (89.682 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Omaha?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Omaha?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $294,189 in Omaha β€” a 48.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Montgomery, AL from Omaha, NE?

The driving distance is 967 mi and the route typically takes 18h 41m via US 78 and US 63. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Omaha to Montgomery?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 967 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does household income compare in Omaha vs Montgomery?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $72,708 in Omaha β€” a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.

City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Montgomery, AL.

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