Moving from College Station, TX to Montgomery, AL
The drive from College Station, TX to Montgomery, AL runs 708 mi β about 13h 3m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
708 mi Β· 13h 3m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 80, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Montgomery and College Station is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Montgomery is 1.4% below College Station β $349,041 vs $151,228 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperatures in College Station (69.4Β°F) and Montgomery (67.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.46 |
Income steps up 1.4%: $51,776 in College Station vs $55,687 in Montgomery.
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 Texas 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.
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
Is Montgomery more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 1.4% lower than College Station (89.682 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 708 mi and the route typically takes 13h 3m via I 10 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $349,041 in College Station β a 56.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $51,776 in College Station β a 7.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 708 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Montgomery, AL.