Moving from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
A 2006 mi cross-country move between San Diego and Montgomery is 35h 13m 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.
2006 mi Β· 35h 13m 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, I 8 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.8% cheaper overall in Montgomery than San Diego on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 51.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 19.8% less than San Diego at the median β $104,321 β $55,687 on ACS 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
- 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 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 San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2006 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 84.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 46.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 2006 mi and the route typically takes 35h 13m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 19.8% lower than San Diego (89.682 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Montgomery, AL.