Moving from Sacramento, CA to Montgomery, AL
A 2411 mi cross-country move between Sacramento and Montgomery is 42h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 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.
2411 mi Β· 42h 22m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Montgomery at 89.682 vs Sacramento at 106.67.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $479,766 to $151,228 moving to Montgomery.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sacramento | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Sacramento (63.4Β°F) and Montgomery (67.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 15.9% less than Sacramento at the median β $83,753 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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.
- 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 the job market in Montgomery compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 15.9% lower than Sacramento (89.682 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $479,766 in Sacramento β a 68.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 2411 mi and the route typically takes 42h 22m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $83,753 in Sacramento β a 33.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2411 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.