Moving from Montgomery, AL to Long Beach, CA
Moving from Montgomery, AL to Long Beach, CA is a 2088 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 48m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2088 mi Β· 36h 48m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Long 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: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 26.6% above Montgomery at $151,228 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
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, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Long Beach is 26.6% above Montgomery ($55,687 vs $83,969, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2088 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2088 mi and the route typically takes 36h 48m 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 Long Beach compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 467.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long 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 Long Beach more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long 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 does household income compare in Montgomery vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 50.8% 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· Long Beach, CA.