Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Montgomery, AL is a 2073 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 31m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2073 mi Β· 36h 31m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Montgomery come in 21.0% under Santa Ana β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 21.0% under Santa Ana at $866,066 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 51.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°F vs 67.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 21.0% below Santa Ana ($88,354 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 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2073 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 82.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.0% lower than Santa Ana (89.682 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2073 mi and the route typically takes 36h 31m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 37.0% 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.