Moving from Montgomery, AL to Huntington Beach, CA
Cross-country relocations like Montgomery, AL β Huntington Beach, CA cover 2079 mi and about 36h 44m 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.
2079 mi Β· 36h 44m 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, Dallas, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Huntington Beach | 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 |
You are looking at a 26.6% pricier overall price level β 89.682 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Huntington Beach typical home at $1,366,658 is 26.6% above Montgomery at $151,228 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.53 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 26.6% between Montgomery and Huntington Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach 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: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 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 Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2079 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2079 mi and the route typically takes 36h 44m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Huntington Beach compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach 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 much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 803.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 115.3% 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· Huntington Beach, CA.