Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Montgomery, AL
It is 654 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Montgomery β roughly 12h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
654 mi Β· 12h 24m by car Β· AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.4% cheaper overall price level β 114.155 β 89.682 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 51.8" |
Annual temperature drops 9.0Β°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 21.4% less than Fort Lauderdale at the median β $79,935 β $55,687 on ACS 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 Florida 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.4% lower than Fort Lauderdale (89.682 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 654 mi and the route typically takes 12h 24m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 30.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 70.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 654 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Montgomery, AL.