Moving from Las Cruces, NM to Montgomery, AL
It is 1329 mi between Las Cruces and Montgomery — roughly 23h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1329 mi · 23h 30m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Las Cruces | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.212 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.918 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 62.982 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Las Cruces -0.4%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Las Cruces | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $55,176 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 32.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.46 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 New Mexico 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 94°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 — 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 far is Montgomery, AL from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance is 1329 mi and the route typically takes 23h 30m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Las Cruces?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $37,690 in the Las Cruces MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 75,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Las Cruces to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1329 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Las Cruces?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 0.6% lower than Las Cruces (89.682 vs 90.212, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Las Cruces vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $55,176 in Las Cruces — a 0.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Las Cruces?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $290,023 in Las Cruces — a 47.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Las Cruces.
City profiles: Las Cruces, NM · Montgomery, AL.