Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Montgomery, AL
A move from Miami Gardens, FL to Montgomery, AL covers 669 mi and around 12h 36m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
669 mi Β· 12h 36m by car Β· AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Montgomery is 21.4% lower than Miami Gardens β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Montgomery: 21.4% below Miami Gardens on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 51.8" |
Montgomery is 8.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (76.0Β°F vs 67.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 21.4% below Miami Gardens ($60,979 β $55,687, 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 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 Miami Gardens to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 669 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 21.4% lower than Miami Gardens (89.682 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 67.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 669 mi and the route typically takes 12h 36m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Montgomery, AL.