Factors that influence moving costs from Montgomery to Houston
What to know before moving from Montgomery to Houston
Moving from Montgomery to Houston comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Houston is generally more expensive than Montgomery, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Montgomery | Houston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,200 | $1,549 |
Average home value | $140,563 | $263,945 |
Average income (per capita) | $49,989 | $69,833 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,651 | $2,770 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,569 | $7,157 |
Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 4.1% |
Sales tax | 10.0% | 8.25% |
State income tax | 5.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Houston are 29% higher than in Montgomery, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Montgomery.
Home prices in Houston are 87.8% higher than in Montgomery. - Income in Houston is 39.7% higher than in Montgomery, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Houston include H-E-B, Houston Methodist, and Memorial Hermann Health System.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Houston, since the cost of living for a single person in Houston is 67.8% higher than in Montgomery. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Houston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Houston is 100.5% higher than in Montgomery.
- The unemployment rate in Houston is 29.31% lower than in Montgomery.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Houston, since the cityโs sales taxes in Houston are 17.50% lower than in Montgomery.
- One perk of moving to Houston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Montgomery.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,033.31 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Montgomery.
How life is different in Montgomery vs. Houston
Houston | Montgomery | |
---|---|---|
Population | 2,301,572 | 200,603 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
Walkability score | 47 | 26 |
Bike friendliness score | 49 | 33 |
Crime Index | 63.5 | 65.25 |
Safety Index | 36.5 | 34.75 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Houston's population is about 1,047% greater than Montgomery.
- Houston's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Montgomery's lower score of 2.
- Houston is more walkable than Montgomery with a score of 47 out of 100 vs Montgomery's 26 out of 100.
- With a score of 49 out of 100, Houston is more bike-friendly than Montgomery, which has a score of 33 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Houston and Montgomery have a similar crime rate.
- Houston and Montgomery are considered to be equally safe.
- Air quality in Houston is good, and in Montgomery it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Montgomery vs. Houston move
- Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late summer months may affect your move.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Houston. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Houston
Now that you've decided to make the move to "HOU", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Houston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Greenway/Upper Kirby
- Montrose
- Museum District
Best neighborhoods for families
- Clear Lake City
- Friendswood
- Kingwood
- Memorial
- Sugar Land
Things to do in Houston
Once youโre settled into your new home in Texas, itโs time to get out and discover what Houston has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Houston features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Childrenโs Museum of Houston, The Menil Collection, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Holocaust Museum Houston.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Hermann Park, Terry Hershey Park, Lake Houston Park, and Memorial Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Astros (MLB, Houston Dash (NWSL), or Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Houston?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Montgomery to Houston. Youโll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Montgomery.
When is the cheapest time to move from Montgomery to Houston?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Montgomery to Houston, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Montgomery to Houston take?
The 633-mile journey from Montgomery, AL to Houston, TX typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Montgomery offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Houston.