Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Montgomery, AL
It is a 364 mi drive, roughly 7h 7m, between Jacksonville, FL and Montgomery, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
364 mi Β· 7h 7m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 17, FL 228, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.9% moving from Jacksonville to Montgomery β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $282,895 in Jacksonville to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 9.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 51.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.4Β°F vs 67.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.46 |
Households in Montgomery earn about 9.9% 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 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
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 364 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 9.9% lower than Jacksonville (89.682 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 364 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via US 17 and FL 228. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 16.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 46.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Montgomery, AL.