Moving from Wichita, KS to Montgomery, AL
It is 904 mi between Wichita and Montgomery β roughly 16h of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
904 mi Β· 16h by car Β· KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Wichita and Montgomery sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $202,720 in Wichita to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wichita | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 51.8" |
Annual temperature rises 10.2Β°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.46 |
Households in Montgomery earn about 0.8% less at the median β 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 Kansas 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Montgomery, AL from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 904 mi and the route typically takes 16h via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 904 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 Wichita vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $63,072 in Wichita β a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $202,720 in Wichita β a 25.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 0.8% higher than Wichita (89.682 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS Β· Montgomery, AL.