Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Montgomery, AL
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Montgomery, AL covers 477 mi and about 9h 4m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
477 mi Β· 9h 4m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 52, I 285 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Concord, Charlotte, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Montgomery and Winston-Salem are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.043 vs 89.682); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 2.6% under Winston-Salem at $264,333 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 51.8" |
Montgomery runs 8.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.5Β°F vs 67.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.46 |
Household income lines up β $57,673 vs $55,687 on 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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.
- 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 far is Montgomery, AL from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 477 mi and the route typically takes 9h 4m via I 85 and US 52. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 42.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Winston-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 477 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 Winston-Salem vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 2.6% lower than Winston-Salem (89.682 vs 92.043, 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 Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Montgomery, AL.