Moving from Houston, TX to Montgomery, AL
A move from Houston, TX to Montgomery, AL covers 637 mi and around 11h 46m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
637 mi Β· 11h 46m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 65, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.629 to 89.682, putting Montgomery roughly 9.1% below Houston on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Montgomery: 9.1% below Houston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 51.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 9.1% below Houston ($62,894 β $55,687, 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 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
How does household income compare in Houston vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $62,894 in Houston β a 11.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 9.1% lower than Houston (89.682 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 637 mi and the route typically takes 11h 46m via I 10 and I 65. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 637 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $264,336 in Houston β a 42.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Montgomery, AL.