Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Montgomery, AL
It is a 109 mi drive, roughly 2h 26m, between Tuscaloosa, AL and Montgomery, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
109 mi · 2h 26m by car · AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, AL 14, I 65 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 51.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.46 |
Households in Montgomery earn about 2.2% more at the median — 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Montgomery, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 109 mi and the route typically takes 2h 26m via US 82 and AL 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa 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 109 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa — a 33.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 2.2% higher than Tuscaloosa (89.682 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa — a 14.7% higher 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL · Montgomery, AL.