Moving from Montgomery, AL to Riverside, CA
A 2036 mi cross-country move between Montgomery and Riverside is 35h 44m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2036 mi Β· 35h 44m 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 | Anaheim, Irvine, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $151,228 to $646,784 moving to Riverside.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 10.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Montgomery (67.9Β°F) and Riverside (66.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Riverside gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.42 |
Riverside households earn about 18.7% more than Montgomery at the median β $55,687 β $88,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 59.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Riverside, CA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 2036 mi and the route typically takes 35h 44m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 327.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Riverside more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 18.7% higher than Montgomery (106.442 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 Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2036 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Riverside, CA.