Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Montgomery, AL
The drive from Port St. Lucie, FL to Montgomery, AL runs 573 mi β about 10h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
573 mi Β· 10h 52m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.228 to 89.682, putting Montgomery roughly 10.5% below Port St. Lucie on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 51.8" |
Climate cools by 7.3Β°F on the annual average β 75.2Β°F β 67.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.5% between Port St. Lucie and Montgomery (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 Florida 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.
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 does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 10.5% lower than Port St. Lucie (89.682 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 573 mi and the route typically takes 10h 52m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 573 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Montgomery, AL.