Moving from Montgomery, AL to Houston, TX
A move from Montgomery, AL to Houston, TX covers 637 mi and around 11h 46m of driving through 4 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.
637 mi Β· 11h 46m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 65, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.0% pricier overall in Houston than Montgomery on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 10.0% above Montgomery at $151,228 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.9Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 10.0% above Montgomery ($55,687 β $62,894, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 12.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.0% higher than Montgomery (98.629 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 74.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 637 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 637 mi and the route typically takes 11h 46m via I 10 and I 65. 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· Houston, TX.