Moving from South Fulton, GA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from South Fulton, GA to Montgomery, AL covers 147 mi and about 2h 48m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
147 mi · 2h 48m by car · AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, GA 92, GA 74 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Fulton | 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 South Fulton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: South Fulton —, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | South Fulton | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperatures in South Fulton (63.6°F) and Montgomery (67.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Fulton | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,157 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $81,798 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 10.4% below South Fulton ($81,798 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 94°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 — 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 South Fulton to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 147 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than South Fulton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 10.4% lower than South Fulton (89.682 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in South Fulton vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $81,798 in South Fulton — a 31.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to South Fulton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,370 in the South Fulton 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.
How far is Montgomery, AL from South Fulton, GA?
The driving distance is 147 mi and the route typically takes 2h 48m via I 85 and GA 92. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Fulton.
City profiles: South Fulton, GA · Montgomery, AL.