Moving from Meridian, ID to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Meridian, ID to Montgomery, AL is a 2236 mi cross-country relocation β about 38h 10m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2236 mi Β· 38h 10m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.391 to 89.682, putting Montgomery roughly 8.9% below Meridian on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Montgomery: 8.9% below Meridian on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 51.8" |
Montgomery runs 14.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.2Β°F vs 67.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 8.9% below Meridian ($98,686 vs $55,687, 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 Idaho 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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 (14.7Β°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
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 71.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 2236 mi and the route typically takes 38h 10m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 8.9% lower than Meridian (89.682 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 43.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Montgomery, AL.