Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Montgomery, AL covers 173 mi and about 3h 17m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
173 mi Β· 3h 17m by car Β· AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 285 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, South Fulton, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Montgomery is 10.4% cheaper than Sandy Springs overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Montgomery is 10.4% below Sandy Springs β $691,063 vs $151,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 51.8" |
Montgomery runs 6.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.5Β°F vs 67.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 10.4% below Sandy Springs ($101,593 vs $55,687, ACS 5-year 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 Georgia 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 the job market in Montgomery compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 10.4% lower than Sandy Springs (89.682 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 173 mi and the route typically takes 3h 17m via I 85 and I 285. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 78.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 173 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 Sandy Springs vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 45.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Montgomery, AL.