Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Montgomery, AL is a 2250 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 41m of driving through 9 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.
2250 mi Β· 39h 41m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Montgomery are 17.6% below Santa Maria β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 17.6% under Santa Maria at $658,011 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 51.8" |
Montgomery runs 9.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.6Β°F vs 67.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 17.6% below Santa Maria ($84,617 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Maria to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 77.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 2250 mi and the route typically takes 39h 41m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 17.6% lower than Santa Maria (89.682 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 34.2% 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 Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.