Moving from Springfield, MO to Montgomery, AL
It is 611 mi between Springfield and Montgomery β roughly 11h 56m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
611 mi Β· 11h 56m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Montgomery sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $242,870 in Springfield to $151,228 in Montgomery, a 1.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 51.8" |
Annual temperature rises 11.5Β°F moving to Montgomery per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.46 |
Montgomery households earn about 1.2% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 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 Missouri 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.
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 (11.5Β°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
Is Montgomery more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 1.2% higher than Springfield (89.682 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 37.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 611 mi and the route typically takes 11h 56m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 21.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 611 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Montgomery, AL.