Moving from Montgomery, AL to Norman, OK
It is 797 mi between Montgomery and Norman β roughly 14h 24m 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.
797 mi Β· 14h 24m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 37.7" |
Annual temperature drops 7.2Β°F moving to Norman per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Norman gets around 4.1 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.5 |
Households in Norman earn about 0.8% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Norman average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Norman more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 0.8% higher than Montgomery (90.408 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Norman, OK from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 797 mi and the route typically takes 14h 24m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 16.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 797 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 Norman compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 73.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 656,800 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· Norman, OK.