Moving from Montgomery, AL to Palm Bay, FL
It is 525 mi between Montgomery and Palm Bay β roughly 10h 13m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
525 mi Β· 10h 13m by car Β· AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.5% above Montgomery β 89.682 β 100.005 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 55.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.82 |
Palm Bay households earn about 11.5% more than Montgomery at the median β $55,687 β $67,521 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palm Bay average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Palm Bay averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 525 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 11.5% higher than Montgomery (100.005 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 525 mi and the route typically takes 10h 13m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 21.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 100.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Palm Bay, FL.