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Moving from Alabama to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

AL state flag
Living now

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

MT state flag
Moving to

Montana

Capital: Helena

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days

Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

Montana has an overall price level 94.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Alabama
88.8
Montana
94.6
Montana has 6.6% higher overall price level
Housing index
Alabama
61.8
Montana
84.6
Montana has 37% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Alabama
97.2
Montana
98.7
Montana has 1.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Alabama
98.3
Montana
99.2
Montana has 0.9% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 21% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Alabama
97.8
Montana
98.9
Montana has 1.2% higher transportation
Median home value
Alabama
$233,300
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 82% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Alabama
$889/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 4.9% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 83°F · Winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Alabama
91°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 8.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Alabama
35°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 60% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Alabama
63°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 30% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Alabama
213
Montana
205
Montana has 3.8% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Alabama
56 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 73% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Alabama
42
Montana
42
Snow / year
Alabama
1 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 5000% more annual snowfall

Get the full AlabamaMontana report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Montana than Alabama?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.9 for Alabama — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Alabama tops out at 5% income tax. Montana tops out at 5.65%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Montana?

Most Montana residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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