Moving from Montgomery, AL to Dallas, TX
It is 647 mi between Montgomery and Dallas β roughly 12h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
647 mi Β· 12h 1m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas runs about 15.0% more expensive overall than Montgomery β RPP 89.682 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $151,228 in Montgomery to $309,421 in Dallas, a 15.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.9Β°F vs 68.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 15.0% more than Montgomery at the median β $55,687 β $67,760 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Dallas average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 104.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 21.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 647 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dallas more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 15.0% higher than Montgomery (103.09 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 647 mi and the route typically takes 12h 1m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 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 Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Dallas, TX.