Moving from Montgomery, AL to Oklahoma City, OK
The drive from Montgomery, AL to Oklahoma City, OK runs 793 mi β about 14h 6m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
793 mi Β· 14h 6m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Oklahoma City | 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 |
Oklahoma City and Montgomery are close on the overall BEA RPP (89.682 vs 90.408); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Oklahoma City typical home at $206,713 is 0.8% above Montgomery at $151,228 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 36.4" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 67.9Β°F β 60.1Β°F.
Expect 6.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.5 |
Income steps up 0.8%: $55,687 in Montgomery vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City 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
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 793 mi and the route typically takes 14h 6m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 36.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City 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.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 0.8% higher than Montgomery (90.408 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 793 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 19.8% 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· Oklahoma City, OK.