Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Montgomery, AL is a 2050 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2050 mi Β· 36h by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rancho Cucamonga | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Montgomery are 15.7% below Rancho Cucamonga β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 15.7% under Rancho Cucamonga at $792,765 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rancho Cucamonga | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 51.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 67.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rancho Cucamonga | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $109,511 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.01 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Montgomery is 15.7% below Rancho Cucamonga ($109,511 vs $55,687, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°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: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Rancho Cucamonga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Rancho Cucamonga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 15.7% lower than Rancho Cucamonga (89.682 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Rancho Cucamonga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 80.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rancho Cucamonga to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2050 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 Rancho Cucamonga vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 49.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
The driving distance is 2050 mi and the route typically takes 36h via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 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 Rancho Cucamonga.
City profiles: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.