Moving from Montgomery, AL to Grand Prairie, TX
Relocating 662 mi from Montgomery to Grand Prairie is a 12h 18m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
662 mi Β· 12h 18m 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 | Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Grand Prairie | 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 |
Overall prices come in 15.0% above Montgomery β 89.682 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Grand Prairie -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 41.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, JOE POOL LAKE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 198,564 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $78,889 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.0% β $55,687 β $78,889 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie average 96Β°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 does household income compare in Montgomery vs Grand Prairie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,889 in Grand Prairie vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 41.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Grand Prairie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 662 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Grand Prairie compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,527 in Grand Prairie vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 109.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Grand Prairie, TX from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 662 mi and the route typically takes 12h 18m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Grand Prairie more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Grand Prairie 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 does the job market in Grand Prairie compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Grand Prairie 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Grand Prairie, TX.