Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Montgomery, AL
It is 1933 mi and 33h 21m from Salt Lake City to Montgomery β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1933 mi Β· 33h 21m by car Β· UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Montgomery at 89.682 vs Salt Lake City at 100.868.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $573,181 to $151,228 moving to Montgomery.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 51.8" |
Expect 12.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.1% β $74,925 β $55,687 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Utah 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-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 (12.1Β°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
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1933 mi and the route typically takes 33h 21m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1933 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 11.1% lower than Salt Lake City (89.682 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 73.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Montgomery, AL.