Moving from Montgomery, AL to Richardson, TX
Relocating 655 mi from Montgomery to Richardson is a 12h 12m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
655 mi Β· 12h 12m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 80, I 20, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Richardson runs about 15.0% more expensive overall than Montgomery β RPP 89.682 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $151,228 in Montgomery to $440,400 in Richardson, a 15.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.9Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.0% β $55,687 β $96,257 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 655 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richardson more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 15.0% higher than Montgomery (103.09 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 72.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 191.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richardson, TX from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 655 mi and the route typically takes 12h 12m via US 80 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 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· Richardson, TX.