Moving from Pasadena, CA to Montgomery, AL
A 2082 mi cross-country move between Pasadena and Montgomery is 36h 39m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2082 mi Β· 36h 39m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| 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
| Pasadena | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Montgomery sits 21.0% cheaper than Pasadena on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 21.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 51.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 67.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 21.0% less than Pasadena at the median β $103,778 β $55,687 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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 California and Alabama
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 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
How far is Montgomery, AL from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 2082 mi and the route typically takes 36h 39m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 87.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2082 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.0% lower than Pasadena (89.682 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 46.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 6,185,570 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.