Albany GA vs Montgomery AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Albany
18.9%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Montgomery
63.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 18.9% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 76.3% | 63.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 4.8% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $151,721 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Albany +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 46.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 52.8 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.0%.
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