Moving from Kansas City, MO to Montgomery, AL
Relocating 780 mi from Kansas City to Montgomery is a 15h 11m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
780 mi Β· 15h 11m by car Β· MO β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 63, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 51.8" |
Expect 11.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.1% lower in Montgomery than Kansas City.
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 Missouri 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 (11.0Β°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 does the job market in Montgomery compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 39.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 780 mi and the route typically takes 15h 11m via US 78 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 17.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 3.1% lower than Kansas City (89.682 vs 92.543, 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Montgomery, AL.