Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Montgomery, AL
Relocating between St. Petersburg, FL and Montgomery, AL is a 498 mi drive β 9h 35m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
498 mi Β· 9h 35m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 10, US 231 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Tampa, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Petersburg | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.1% cheaper overall in Montgomery than St. Petersburg on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg β, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 51.8" |
Expect 6.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.1% β $73,118 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 Florida 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.
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 St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 11.1% lower than St. Petersburg (89.682 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Montgomery, AL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 498 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via I 75 and I 10. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 498 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 St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL Β· Montgomery, AL.