Moving from Montgomery, AL to Kansas City, MO
It is 780 mi between Montgomery and Kansas City β roughly 15h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
780 mi Β· 15h 11m by car Β· MO β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 63, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 89.682 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $151,228 to $250,208 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature drops 11.0Β°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.32 |
Kansas City households earn about 3.2% more than Montgomery at the median β $55,687 β $67,449 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 3.2% higher than Montgomery (92.543 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 65.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 21.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 780 mi and the route typically takes 15h 11m via US 78 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 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· Kansas City, MO.