Moving from Montgomery, AL to Downey, CA
Cross-country relocations like Montgomery, AL β Downey, CA cover 2084 mi and about 36h 40m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2084 mi Β· 36h 40m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 26.6% higher overall in Downey vs Montgomery on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Downey: 26.6% above Montgomery on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 26.6% between Montgomery and Downey (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2084 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 Downey compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Downey more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 26.6% higher than Montgomery (113.566 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2084 mi and the route typically takes 36h 40m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 487.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 56.9% higher 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 Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Downey, CA.