Moving from Salem, OR to Montgomery, AL
It is 2702 mi and 46h 45m from Salem to Montgomery β a cross-country move across 12 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2702 mi Β· 46h 45m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Montgomery at 89.682 vs Salem at 103.649.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $436,318 to $151,228 moving to Montgomery.
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 51.8" |
Expect 13.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.5% β $71,900 β $55,687 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Oregon 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2702 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 13.5% lower than Salem (89.682 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $436,318 in Salem β a 65.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $71,900 in Salem β a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2702 mi and the route typically takes 46h 45m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 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 Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Montgomery, AL.