Moving from Richmond, VA to Montgomery, AL
Relocating 691 mi from Richmond to Montgomery is a 13h 4m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
691 mi Β· 13h 4m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 70, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.4% moving from Richmond to Montgomery β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $369,646 in Richmond to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 8.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 51.8" |
Expect 9.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.4% lower in Montgomery than Richmond.
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 Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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.
- 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 Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 8.4% lower than Richmond (89.682 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $369,646 in Richmond β a 59.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 691 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 Richmond vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 11.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 691 mi and the route typically takes 13h 4m via I 85 and US 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA Β· Montgomery, AL.