Moving from Madison, WI to Montgomery, AL
It is 883 mi between Madison and Montgomery β roughly 16h 36m 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.
883 mi Β· 16h 36m by car Β· WI β IL β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, US 51, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.8% moving from Madison 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 $423,767 in Madison to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 7.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 51.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.7Β°F β 47.2Β°F in Madison vs 67.9Β°F in Montgomery, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 7.8% less than Madison at the median β $76,983 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 (20.7Β°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
Is Montgomery more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 7.8% lower than Madison (89.682 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $423,767 in Madison β a 64.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 883 mi and the route typically takes 16h 36m via I 65 and US 51. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 883 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $76,983 in Madison β a 27.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Montgomery, AL.